OSCE Office organizes workshop to promote democratic control of armed forces in Azerbaijan

BAKU, 17 February 2008 - A workshop organized by the OSCE Office in Baku to assist the co-operation of military social and welfare associations as they promote democratic control of the armed forces started in Baku today.

The two-day workshop aims to create a framework for the associations' co-operation and to establish a single alliance of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that deal with the human rights and social welfare of those in the military service.

"Co-operation among NGOs, associations, the parliament and the military is needed to support those who are serving or have served in the Armed Services," said John MacGregor, Politico-Military Programme Officer of the OSCE Office in Baku. "Civil society and the military must work together to create democratic control of armed forces."

During the workshop, participants are set to develop a joint activity plan for 2009 with the support of the Office.