© 2023. PHOTO BY JOS BOONSTRA
In the context of the “Developing Inclusive Oversight of Security” (DIOS) project in Armenia, an initiative running from December 2021 to June 2024, the Centre for European Security Studies (CESS) of the Netherlands, in collaboration with Peace Dialogue NGO in Armenia, has released a new policy brief. This brief carries the symbolic title: “Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Security Sector Oversight in Armenia.” It delves into the realm of democratic oversight of Armenia’s security sector, evaluating its capacity for effective oversight, interagency cooperation in holding the government accountable, and the prevailing culture of oversight. The policy brief culminates with a series of recommendations aimed at the Armenian government, the legislature, civil society, and international donors.
The insights presented in the policy brief have been sourced from a wide spectrum of inputs. These include the outcomes of a multitude of policy and expert labs where both Armenian and select international participants have shared their perspectives on the subject of democratic control. Furthermore, data has been curated from extensive desk research, an evaluation mission, interviews, and questionnaires administered to representatives of Armenian think tanks.
It is essential to note that the policy brief was developed before the September 2023 war of Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh and the subsequent exodus of its population into Armenia. However, it does take into consideration some of the anticipated consequences stemming from these events.
For access to the complete version of the Policy Brief, please follow the link below: CESS-Volten-Brief_9-2022_EN (PDF, 1 Mb). The translated version is slated for release by the end of November 2023.
The DIOS project is implemented by the Centre for European Security Studies (the Netherlands) and Peace Dialogue NGO (Armenia) with the financial assistance from the Netherlands Embassy in Armenia.
