Security Sector Governance in South Asia

The security sector encompasses those institutions and organisations in the government structure that are responsible for the security of the State and its citizens from external or internal threats. Minimally, these include military and paramilitary forces, the intelligence services, national and local police services, border, customs and coast guards. In order to reduce the risk of conflict, ensure sustainable peace, provide security for citizens and create the right environment for sustainable development, the existence of a capable, responsible and accountable security sector is critical. Effective security sector governance (SSG) involves the optimum management of security institutions within accepted norms of transparency, accountability and observance of humanitarian laws. Transparency and accountability are particularly challenging issues in South Asia. Mistakes made in the past can be avoided if today’s democratic governments were to address security issues constructively, by understanding one another’s security sectors and sharing knowledge of governance procedures and lessons learnt.