Page 39 - Empowerment and Protection - Stories of Human Security

recommendations
▪ Ensure that the public security sector, especially police, effectively protects law and order. Police have the potential to be a powerful source of human security for the people, rather than a source of insecurity or a political instrument. One of the most immediate priorities for the new government should be
not merely a reshufle, but a profound security sector reform, whose ultimate output would include a democratically accountable police force. State actors can build on the momentum of the increasing space and role for the involvement
of civil society, particularly with the growing volunteer movement, to ensure eficient mechanisms for public consultations and public oversight for the reform processes.
▪ Tackle widespread corruption by addressing ineficiencies and strengthening the rule of law. As one of the issues that fuelled Euromaidan, ineficient government agencies feed corruption and hinder citizens’ ability to exercise their rights through lawful means. Citizens must be aware
of their rights in order to exercise them. This will not only empower citizens, but also strengthen trust in government and the judicial system. Civil society have a role to play in enabling feedback mechanisms and informing citizens about their rights and obligations.
▪ Prioritise accountability and transparency in government activities. Building trust between
the citizens, government, and other stakeholders will require freedom of information. Effective governance requires that citizens can hold their government accountable and critique its actions. The media and social networks can be instrumental channels for transparency, and can be used by citizens to hold the government accountable.
▪ Support initiatives to strengthen dialogue processes addressing the current disconnect and divisions between different political, socio- economic and cultural groups. The complexities of the Ukrainian identity should have room
for expression as part of a national narrative of peaceful co-existence. A number of civil-society led dialogue initiatives can further inform the reforms aiming to increase both the actual and perceived security.
The author works for the association of Middle east Studies (aMeS) is a non-proit organisation based in Kyiv, Ukraine, that conducts research and analysis of the middle East and of Ukrainian foreign and domestic policy regarding muslim and other minorities with a particular focus on Crimea. amES has done numerous projects on mediation and prevention of inter-ethnic tensions (with a focus on Crimea), and increasing civic tolerance in the region. amES is a member of the Eastern Europe network of the Global Partnership for
the Prevention of armed Conlict (GPPaC).
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