Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Armed Forces Personnel

Resumen: Human rights and fundamental freedoms apply to armed forces personnel under OSCE commitments and international law. Whether professional or conscripted, they are entitled to the same rights and protections as all other persons. Certain restrictions to these rights may be imposed by military life.

The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) have jointly published a Handbook on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Armed Forces Personnel. It 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. The Handbook 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. (Resumen original).