Rights and duties of defence personnel, and how they are reflected in training programmes, focus of OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation

VIENNA, 24 October 2018 – How the rights and duties of military, paramilitary and security forces’ personnel, including their human rights and fundamental freedoms, are reflected in policy development, training and education programmes, was explored at today’s meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation in Vienna, held under the Forum’s Swedish Chairmanship.

The discussion was the second Security Dialogue organized by Sweden’s Chairmanship on the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, a key OSCE document that provides guidance on how to regulate the role of armed forces in democratic societies. Next year marks the Code’s 25th anniversary. A Security Dialogue on the Code, organized by the Swedish Chair last month, focused on the democratic control of armed forces.

“Military and security forces personnel, under the control and oversight of our democratic institutions, are representatives of the people,” said Chairperson of the Forum and Permanent Representative of Sweden to the OSCE Ambassador Ulrika Funered as she opened today’s meeting. “They must not only show great character, but also always remember their responsibilities.”

Ambassador Funered went on to ask: “So, what is this great character, and what responsibilities do military and security forces personnel have towards others and within their own ranks?”

Chris Whitecross, Commandant of the NATO Defense College and Lieutenant General of the Royal Canadian Airforce, providing answers to these questions from NATO’s perspective, said that the alliance’s Building Integrity Programme provides practical tools to help participating countries strengthen integrity, transparency and accountability and reduce the risk of corruption in the defence and security sector. The NATO Defense College, she said, is a unique civilian/military institute that also builds the capacities of senior leaders from NATO and partner countries in this area.

Referring to the Canadian Armed Forces, she highlighted Operation HONOUR, which is designed to eliminate harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour in the Canadian military.

“Operation HONOUR is based on the principles that every man and woman who serves their country deserves to be treated with dignity and respect – anything less is simply unacceptable,” said Lieutenant General Whitecross. “Any attitudes or behaviours which undermine the camaraderie, cohesion and confidence of serving members, threatens the Canadian Armed Forces’ long-term operational success.”

A significant part of the discussions focused on women’s participation within the military and security forces.

Major General Elena G. Knyazeva, Deputy Head of the Military University of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, described the historical tradition of women in the military in her country. She said that there are 18 universities in Russia providing military educational programmes for women, with the Military University of the Ministry of Defence commemorating its 100th anniversary next year.

“There are some 3,000 female officers in the Russian Armed Forces, and more than twenty of them are at the grade of colonel,” said Major General Knyazeva. “The majority of women are specialists in the medical and finance branches, signal corps, some of them are leaders of certain units. Together with men they accomplish combat missions and many of them have been awarded state decorations.”

Major General Klas Eksell, Director of Human Resources at the Swedish Armed Forces, talked about how “creating a moral compass” guides the work of his country’s military. This was particularly important when Sweden reintroduced compulsory military service based on a gender-neutral approach, he said.

“The Swedish Armed Forces’ leadership policy is called ‘developing leadership’. All officers and civil servants in leadership positions are committed and educated to this model,” said Major General Eksell. “Lead by example, based on values, consider individuals, inspire and motivate… Our core values are based on openness, results and responsibility. Trust between leaders and troops based on competence and values delivers, in our perspective, the most efficient units.”