OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security discussed in Yerevan

The OSCE Office in Yerevan and Armenia’s Ministry of Defence, in partnership with the NATO Building Integrity Programme, organized an international workshop on the OSCE Code of Conduct from 16 to 17 October in Yerevan. The Code of Conduct, which marked its 20th anniversary this year, is a key document dealing with the politico-military commitments of OSCE participating States.  

Participants shared their knowledge and experience on the Code’s commitments, best practices on security sector governance and reforms, human rights in armed forces, civilian control of the security sector and synergies between NATO and OSCE commitments.

The Code is a unique OSCE mechanism promoting the co-operative and comprehensive nature of security. It helps countries establish a democratic system of principles and commitments in regulating the role of the armed and security forces. It also helps in developing mechanisms of democratic civilian control over the armed forces, security forces, intelligence services, police, private security and paramilitary forces.

Workshop participants included representatives from the OSCE Secretariat’s Conflict Prevention Centre, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), NATO, the Austrian Ministry of Defence and Sport, Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control over the Armed Forces (DCAF), International Committee of the Red Cross, United Nations Population Fund ICRC, UNFPA, the Ombudsman’s Office as well as Armenian state institutions and civil society.

Creating a security community for the benefit of everyone, fostering security and stability by strengthening the security sector governance and fostering implementation and promotion of the Code are among the priorities of the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship this year.