Concept of Security Sector Reform

This definition of SSR has five main elements. First, efficiency which can be seen as the match between achieved results and means. Second, effectivenesscan be defined as harmony between aims and achieved outcomes. Third, human security refers to freedom from fear and protection of human rights. Human security has two further aspects: freedom from chronic threats, such as murder, hunger, illness and repres-sion; and protection from sudden and damaging disruptions in all aspects of life, either at home, in work or in the community. Fourth, national security is defined as the preservation of territorial integrity, national independence and sovereignty, and the political stability of government institutions. Fifth, democratic governance within the concept of SSR refers to legitimacy, representativeness, transparency, participativeness (participation of citizens), legality and account-ability in the governing of the security sector. Thus, given the criteria of democratic governance SSR is not an easy, simple technical process of the reorganisation of the security sector. The concept of SSR also incorporates the values of liberal democracy and the efforts invested in the adoption of those values.