OSCE launched handbook on protecting human rights of armed forces personnel

The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) launched a handbook aimed at improving the protection of human rights of soldiers and other armed forces personnel in May 2008.

The handbook has been published jointly with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).

This handbook presents an overview of legislation, policies, and mechanisms for ensuring the protection and enforcement of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of armed forces personnel.

It is aimed at all individuals who play a role in promoting, protecting, and enforcing the human rights of armed forces personnel, such as parliamentarians, government officials, policy makers, military personnel, judges, professional military associations, and non-governmental organizations.

The handbook is available in English and Russian from the website of the OSCE as PDF file.