The OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects

of Security

Ivan Dvořák

FSC Co-ordinator CoC

7th ICOAF, Prague, October 26 - 27, 2015

Established in 1994 as an independent decision making body of the OSCE

Framework for discussion on issues of politico-military nature relevant to common security

Platform for negotiation on Confidence and Security Building Measures (CSBMs)

Monitoring implementation of agreed commitments 57 participating States Rotational Chairmanship / 2015 – MG, ME, NO

The Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC)

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• Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security

• CSBMs, including the Vienna Document 2011

• Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)

• Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (SCA)

• Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (UNSCR 1540)

• UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security

FSC Agenda

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OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-MilitaryAspects of security

- Budapest Summit 1994- Most comprehensive CSBM- Norms and Principles for Inter-state relations and Intra-

state arrangements- Democratic Control of the Armed Forces

- Political neutrality of Armed Forces- Respect and Compliance with IHL- Rights and Freedoms of Armed Forces Personnel

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Code of Conduct provisions

23. Each participating State, while providing for the individual service member's exercise of his or her civil rights, will ensure that its armed forces as such are politically neutral.

27. Each participating State will ensure that the recruitment or call-up of personnel for service in its military, paramilitary and security forces is consistent with its obligations and commitments in respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

28. The participating States will reflect in their laws or other relevant documents the rights and duties of armed forces personnel. They will consider introducing exemptions from or alternatives to military service.

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Instruments

- FSC Security Dialogues- Annual Exchange of Information

- Commitment to share information [52 nations replied in 2015]- Jointly agreed Questionnaire- Voluntary reporting on SCR 1325 implementation [33 responses

by 5 October 2015]

- Annual discussion on implementation - Comprehensive report to ministers- Co-operation with ODIHR, DCAF [worskhops,

seminars]

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Questionnaire

3.3 What are the legal and administrative procedures to protect the rights of all forces personnel as well as conscripts? [incl. role of Ombudsinstitutions]

4.4 What has been done to provide for the individual service member’s exercise of his or her civil rights and how does your State ensure that the country’s armed forces are politically neutral?

National replies available on the OSCE website

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Questions?Questions?

Ivan DvořákFSC Chair Co-ordinator for the OSCE Code of Conduct

Senior Defence Adviser Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the OSCE

Tel: +43 1 89958125Email: czech.mil.osce@seznam.cz