Human rights and security sector reform specialist with expertise in methodologies for mainstreaming rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches into security sector governance and related reform programming, results-based (project) management and training. Regional knowledge and experience in Latin America, Eastern and Central Europe (Balkans) and South East Asia with UN organisations, agencies and programmes, as well as with NGOs and the OSCE.
Policy and Research Papers
Human Rights Based Approach to SSR
The UN characterises a HRBA as a “conceptual framework that is normatively based on international human rights standards and operationally directed to promoting and protecting human rights”. Similar to the UN’s HRBA Common Understanding, the European Commission’s rights-based approach (RBA) integrates human rights principles and standards into all aspects of the programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. In these rights-based conceptual frameworks, participation, local empowerment, national ownership meaningful inclusion and accountability are central elements to their implementation.
This ISSAT Research Paper explores how a HRBA helps us to get started on the right path to doing things right in SSR.
Other Documents
Interpreting International Norms for a More Impactful Human Rights-based Approach (HRBA) in SSR
How can a system-wide guidance tool grounded in international human rights norms and standards strengthen the holistic approach inherent to SSR? This second paper from the HRBA Working Group from ISSAT’s Methodology Cell explores international human rights norms and standards with jurisprudence set by the ECHR, IACHR and UN international instruments.
Read Paper 1: Rethinking a Human Rights-based Approach to SSR
For further information on the Working Group's research, please refer to the Rethinking a Human Rights-based Approach (HRBA) in Security Sector Reform blog
Decentralisation of Security Governance: Facilitator of a Human Rights-based Approach (HRBA) to SSR?
The UN Common Understanding of a HRBA among UN Agencies (2003) was designed to provide guidance to UN mandates on incorporating human rights standards, norms and principles into all programming support components. The third paper from the HRBA Working Group from ISSAT’s Methodology Cell highlights the need for further study on Decentralisation of Security Governance (DSG) by providing brief examples of how Local Security Councils (LSCs), mechanisms of DSG, can help turn the principles of inclusivity, local ownership, accountability and participation into actionable outcomes in line with a HRBA.
Read Paper 1: Rethinking a Human Rights-based Approach to SSR
For further information on the Working Group's research, please refer to the Rethinking a Human Rights-based Approach (HRBA) in Security Sector Reform blog
Rethinking a Human Rights-based Approach to SSR
This is the first of the three Working Papers by ISSAT's Human Rights-based Approach (HRBA) Working Group that examine the common linkages between the impact and sustainability of SSR projects and the application of a HRBA as defined by the EU and UN. Working Paper 1 sets the base for the rest by presenting the state of SSR and describing how a HRBA can be reinforced.
For further information on the Working Group's research, please refer to the Rethinking a Human Rights-based Approach (HRBA) in Security Sector Reform blog
Read the next in the series - Paper 2: Interpreting International Norms for a more Impactful Human Rights-based Approach (HRBA) in SSR
Developing a Theory of Change for Justice and Security Sector Reform in Honduras
ISSAT and Swedepeace had a standing engagement in Honduras since 2013 providing technical assistance to the Swiss Agency for Development and Corporation (SDC) and their partners in civil society Alliance for Peace and Justice (APJ), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Secretary of Security of Honduras (SEDS). The Swiss JSSR Team supported the SEDS in their strategic planning by training on and applying a theory of change (ToC). The ToC process was a timely tool for this exercise, as it provided an opportunity to internally reflect on their current planning process and how it will impact externally. The process also allowed for a common understanding for base line to be developed as well as the definition of a desired end-state.
Kindly find the mandate report attached.
For more information on the mandate Backstopping Support to SDC Honduras (2016-18), kindly follow the link.
Monitoring ISSAT’s Commitment to Gender Equality - Pilot Report 2017
In 2018, ISSAT initiated a pilot case-study to demonstrate its commitment to gender equality during the 2017 reporting cycle. The purpose of the pilot report and the case study is to develop a model for internal monitoring of ISSAT’s gender-sensitive approach that would enable senior management to quality control our commitment to gender equality as well as select the most emblematic case studies for internal learning, public dissemination and reporting.
For ISSAT's report on Gender and SSR 2016, kindly follow the link.