memorandum of justification concerning human ... - Just the Facts

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still underway to ensure that all AJOs answer directly to the Department of Naval
Operations. As a resource for AJOs, in February 2008, the Ministry of Defense created
the Office of Doctrine and Legal Advice (ODA). The ODA offers legal advice to all
commanders on the ground, and develops operational legal doctrine that ensures human
rights and International humanitarian law obligations are met during the execution of
military operations. The ODA maintains direct contact with AJOs throughout the
country, offering them advice and legal resources as needed.
The Armed Forces has increased the number of active AJOs from 54 in 2008 to 92
in 2009: 73 in the Army, 7 in the Navy, and 12 in the Air Force. Of these, 46 are still in
training at the Army Cadet School and will begin their duties upon completion of the
required courses to graduate with the title of Specialized Administrative Officers in
Operational Legal Advice.
Rules of Engagement (responds to measure 12)
On May 22, 2009, the Ministry of Defense issued Directive 17, which lays out two
sets of ROEs for the Armed Forces, one on combat operations, and one on security
operations. The Directive also orders the implementation of a system for their
application, and training on ROEs for all members of the Armed Forces. Following this,
the Department of Joint Education and Doctrine issued Directive 30 of 2009, which
implements a Regional Scenarios Training Group (GEPER), a pilot project for running
and putting into practice operational exercises for training and retraining of troops and
officers on ROEs. Also in May 2009, the Ministry of Defense held an ROEs training
workshop, which – with the help of U.S. Southern Command – developed a contingency
training plan for the implementation of ROEs. This plan is divided into three stages:
command awareness, train the trainers, and ROE drills.
Inspector Delegates (responds to measure 7)
Through Directive 40, issued March 10, 2009, the General Command of the Armed
Forces issued instructions for the organization and functioning of Inspector Delegates
within the Armed Forces. Responsible for monitoring human rights and International
humanitarian law issues, the Armed Forces appointed ten Inspector Delegates, who report
directly to the Inspector General of the Armed Forces. Seven of these are assigned to the
Army, 2 to the Navy, and 1 to the Air Force. These Inspector Delegates are currently
reviewing operational and intelligence procedures of the units under their jurisdiction, the
role of the AJO, operational files, and education in human rights and International
humanitarian law issues in the Armed Forces‘ Educational Schools and Centers of
Instruction and Training. As of May 2009, the Inspector Delegates had reviewed 70 units
within the Army.
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