Human Rights of Armed Forces Personnel rights as part of a commitment to democratic values. When this is achieved, the armed forces are not merely defenders of a state’s territorial integrity, but also defend and embody its democratic commitments. How to Use This Compendium This compendium is divided into five sections, each of which comprises several chapters (19 in total). The publication can be used in different ways depending on what each reader hopes to gain from it. Reading the compendium in its entirety will, naturally, provide the most comprehensive understanding of the human rights (including their implementation) of armed forces members. Readers may, however, opt to focus only on those sections and chapters that are of particular interest to them. Throughout the compendium, readers will find boxes containing facts and figures that clarify or illustrate complex issues described in the main text by providing examples of the policies, laws and procedures applied by OSCE participating States or relevant information from international organizations. Furthermore, all chapters conclude with a section titled “Good Practices and Recommendations”, where information about how to improve respect for human rights in the barracks may be found. Readers interested in policy-oriented practices and recommendations are advised to focus on these illustrative boxes and the recommendations at the end of each chapter. Section I sets out the regulatory framework, norms and standards for human rights in the armed forces. It provides the national and international legal context for the exercise of human rights by members of the armed forces. Section II deals with the civil and political rights of armed forces personnel. Political rights, in particular, refer to those rights that allow people to participate in public affairs. This section also deals with the right to conscientious objection and the fundamental freedom of religion or belief. Section III deals with equality, non-discrimination and equal opportunities in the armed forces. While acknowledging that the enjoyment of human rights on an equal footing does not imply identical treatment in every instance, this section looks at both de jure and de facto equality in the armed forces. In particular, it deals with women service personnel, ethnic and national minorities, gender identity and sexual orientation. Section IV deals with specific issues of military life, including recruiting and selecting underage armed forces personnel, proper treatment of armed forces personnel and working and living conditions. Finally, Section V covers the important field of promoting and enforcing compliance with human rights in the barracks. It includes human rights education, the responsibility of commanders to hold individual soldiers accountable for their conduct, and military justice and ombuds institutions. 22