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News from the Field: Developing legislation on security, terrorism and defense in East and South-East European parliaments

Terrorism attempts to undermine democratic societies and state authority through spreading terror among citizens. Parliaments in East and South East Europe feel the need to pass terrorism, security and defense-related legislation, vital to democratic development and Euro-Atlantic integration. At the same time, independent and professional policy expertise is crucial for a thorough implementation and institutional oversight capacity.

In cooperation with the Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) the United Nations Democracy Fund supports Parliaments in East and South East Europe by providing advice and background research to their Committees on defense and security, internal security and intelligence oversight. In doing so, DCAF develops a regional parliamentary network, consisting of security and defense committee staffers, who together can cultivate and improve cooperation among Legislatures in the region.

In May 2007 the first training seminar, organized in close partnership with the Assembly of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, took place in Skopje to provide a knowledge and understanding of how defense and security policy is developed, carried out and overseen. Macedonia served as an example of how ethnic cleavages can be tackled within the armed force.

In July 2007 DCAF and the Marshall Centre launched a month-long full-time training course in security studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany). The training includes procedural issues on how to draft legislation and how hearings can be conducted, as well as background to defense budgeting, analysis and planning. Further aspects of the training are the development of a national security and defense concept, ways and means of combating terrorism within a democratic society, the relationship with media and the responsibility of international organizations.

 

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