The Definition of Human Security Concepts

The idea of human security is not new in the discipline of International Relations. That threat does not only come from other countries in the form of threats of military force has been recognized by some analysts and policy makers since a few decades ago, for example the concept of insecurity dilemma and some attention to the safety of children and women. But that human security that emerge on to surface and into the debate today is certainly very interesting to study. The end of the Cold War created a new momentum which left room for interpretation of the meaning of security. It is not merely the country's security from the threat of another country's military. In fact, by implication, the military's role was expanded to perform duties outside the territorial defense. In addition, attention to human security is also strengthened by the wave of globalization that gave birth to reverse flow because of some negative effects on weak states, groups, and certain individuals. And, most striking is that the strengthening of the idea of human security and the effort is a reaction to the problems of humanity that swept the world today, ranging from refugees from the conflict and physical violence, the sale of children and women, food problems, terrorism, etc.

Basically there are three definitions of the concept of human security which is often known in general. In 1994 UNDP, explain the concept of human security which include: economic security, food security, health security, Environmental security, personal security, community security, and political security. In summary UNDP defines human security as: "first, safety from chronic threats such as hunger, disease, and repression. And, second, “protection from sudden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life whether in homes, in jobs or in communities ". This concept is receiving criticism from the Canadian government which considers the concept of UNDP's too broad. UNDP ignores "human insecurity resulting from violent conflict." According to Canada, human security doctrine is based on the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions. Operational measures to protect human security agenda formulated in some of the prohibition of the spread of landmines, the establishment of the International Criminal Court, human rights, international humanitarian law, light and small arms proliferation, child soldiers, and child labor.
Meanwhile, another approach that is the approach of Japanese government similar to that mentioned by the UNDP. Human security is comprehensively cover all the things that threaten human life and honor, such as environmental degradation, violations of human rights, international organized crime, refugee problems, the circulation of illicit drugs, the spread of dangerous infectious disease, and so forth. So, Japan emphasizes that human security in the context of "freedom from fear and freedom from want". They argue, too simplistic and unrealistic view of the size of human security is only free from fear of conflict and human rights violations, while the problems facing more structural dimensions of violence due to socio-economic backwardness. Different views of human security is rooted in philosophical and practical differences. In essence, there are sharp differences over whether human security is viewed more in the context of result of physical violence in armed conflict and human rights violations or more than that which covers vulnerabilities from all forms of threats, including poverty and natural disasters. Differences of opinion about a serious human security implications of the concept of humanitarian intervention. Understanding that security over state security and that human security is universal that transcends the boundaries of state sovereignty is not strong enough to equate perceptions, ideas, and policies to answer the question of when and how humanitarian intervention will be done? Who decides that a situation ripe for intervention? Who will lead the intervention? Where the role of military forces in protecting human security?

In short, Human security may be analysed and understood from different variables. In the basic document of the international seminar on ‘Human Security and Mutual Vulnerability’, professor Jorge Nef¹ proposes at least five dimensions such as ecology, economy, society, politics and culture. Each of these variables can be visualized at different levels. In this regard, I would like to emphasize how they are linked mainly to two crucial elements, globalization and the use of force². Examining these variables enables us to target and structure policy recommendations based on a concept, such as human security, that is still being developed and discussed.

References

Nef, Jorge. 1999. Human Security and Mutual Vulnerability, Ottawa, IDRC (second edition.)

Fransisco R.Aravena. 2002. Human Security: Emerging Concept of Human Security in Twenty First Century. Accessed in http://www.unidir.org/pdf/articles/pdf-art1442.pdf .

United Nations Development Programme.1999. Human Development Report 1999. New York. Oxford University Press.

1Jorge Nef, 1999, Human Security and Mutual Vulnerability, Ottawa, IDRC (second edition.)

2Fransisco R.Aravena. 2002. Human Security: Emerging Concept of Human Security in Twenty First Century. Accessed in http://www.unidir.org/pdf/articles/pdf-art1442.pdf