Security Studies and Rule of Law Association (SRL Swiss) is a non-profit association established in Geneva, Switzerland. The Association is governed in accordance with its Statutes and the applicable provisions of Swiss association law.

Its governance structure is designed to ensure clear institutional responsibilities, accountable decision-making and independent oversight.

1. Governing Bodies

Under Article 5.1 of the Statutes, the bodies of the Association are:

  • the General Assembly;
  • the Board of Directors; and
  • the oversight and audit function.

These bodies perform distinct roles in the governance, management and oversight of the Association.

2. General Assembly

The General Assembly is composed of the members of the Association and serves as its highest decision-making body.

In accordance with the Statutes, the General Assembly is responsible for the Association’s fundamental institutional decisions. Its responsibilities include electing the Board of Directors and appointing the person responsible for the Association’s external audit function.

The General Assembly also exercises the powers assigned to it under the Statutes and provides overall institutional oversight of the Association.

3. Board of Directors

Under Article 7.1 of the Statutes, the Association is managed by the Board of Directors.

Under Article 7.2, the Board consists of at least three persons elected by the General Assembly for a renewable one-year term.

The Board includes at least:

  • a President;
  • a Vice-President; and
  • a Secretary General.

Within the framework established by the Statutes, the Board of Directors is responsible for managing the Association’s activities, implementing institutional decisions and representing the Association.

The Board also coordinates the Association’s organisational and operational work in accordance with its purposes and responsibilities.

4. Audit and Oversight

The Association maintains an independent audit and oversight function.

Under Article 8.1 of the Statutes, the General Assembly appoints an external auditor for a renewable one-year term.

The external auditor may not be a member of the Board of Directors.

The auditor reviews the Association’s annual financial statements and submits a report to the General Assembly.

This structure is intended to maintain an appropriate separation between the management of the Association and the review of its financial reporting.

5. Institutional Accountability

SRL Swiss’s governance structure is based on a separation between institutional decision-making, management and oversight.

The General Assembly takes the Association’s fundamental institutional decisions.

The Board of Directors manages and represents the Association and is responsible for the implementation of its activities.

The external auditor independently reviews the annual financial statements and reports to the General Assembly.

This structure is intended to support accountability, responsible management and appropriate internal oversight.

6. Institutional Independence

SRL Swiss seeks to carry out its activities independently and in accordance with its statutory purposes.

Institutional decisions, human rights research, documentation, reporting and advocacy activities are carried out within the governance framework established by the Association’s Statutes.

The Association seeks to ensure that external interests do not determine the factual findings, legal analysis or conclusions of its human rights work.

SRL Swiss is primarily supported through membership fees and voluntary contributions. Financial or other support provided to the Association does not determine the findings or conclusions of its human rights research, reports, legal assessments or advocacy work. Resources are used in accordance with the purposes set out in the Association’s Statutes.

7. Conflicts of Interest

Persons involved in governance or institutional decision-making are expected to disclose any material conflict of interest relevant to a matter under consideration.

Where a significant conflict of interest exists, appropriate measures should be taken to protect the independence and integrity of the decision-making process.

8. Statutes

The Statutes of SRL Swiss define the Association’s institutional structure and provide the framework for its governance.

They regulate, among other matters:

  • the purpose of the Association;
  • membership;
  • the bodies of the Association;
  • the powers of the General Assembly;
  • the composition and responsibilities of the Board of Directors;
  • the audit and oversight arrangements;
  • institutional decision-making; and
  • other organisational matters.

A public version of the Statutes may be added to this page at a later stage.

9. Public Disclosure and Security

SRL Swiss is committed to providing clear public information about its governance structure, decision-making bodies, terms of office and oversight arrangements.

For security and privacy reasons, the names of individuals holding governance functions are not published on the Association’s public website.

This does not affect the Association’s institutional accountability. Relevant governance information is provided to the competent Swiss authorities where required.

10. Related Institutional Information

Additional information about SRL Swiss’s institutional practices and activities is available through:

  • Annual Activity Reports;
  • Privacy & Data Protection;
  • Research & Editorial Methodology;
  • Reports; and
  • Submissions.

These resources are intended to make the Association’s activities, working methods and institutional framework accessible and understandable to the public.

Security Studies and Rule of Law Association – SRL Swiss
Geneva, Switzerland

General enquiries: info@srlswiss.com
Research and human rights documentation: reports@srlswiss.com
Media enquiries: media@srlswiss.com