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Human security and Humanitarian Interventions. A Key question: Is Human Security a Political Concept or a Humanitarian Concept ?

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Presentation on theme: "Human security and Humanitarian Interventions. A Key question: Is Human Security a Political Concept or a Humanitarian Concept ?"— Presentation transcript:

1 Human security and Humanitarian Interventions

2 A Key question: Is Human Security a Political Concept or a Humanitarian Concept ?

3 PPR - 2000 NGOs in Afghanistan Afghanistan: A Call for Security June 17, 2003 We the undersigned humanitarian, human rights, civil society and conflict prevention organizations call on the international community to accord NATO a robust stabilization mandate in Afghanistan. This mandate should include the expansion of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to key locations and major transport routes outside of Kabul and the active support for a comprehensive program of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of all militia forces outside the control of the central government. Current efforts to train representative, professional Afghan national security forces must be accelerated.

4 NATO & Humanitarian Interventions A humanitarian intervention is an armed intervention in another state, without the agreement of that state, to address (the threat of) a humanitarian disaster, in particular caused by grave and large-scale violations of fundamental human rights. This definition was adopted by a NATO seminar in Scheveningen on the topic in November 1999.

5 PPR - 2000 Who are the Actors Belligerants States UN General Assembly UN Security Council Private companies USAID ECHO Medias Human rights organisations National Societies of RC/RC UNHCR UNICEF WHO NGOs ICRC Political Humanitarian

6 Human Security and the Concept of Humanitarian & Political Frameworks Based on:. Principles. Law. Means

7 Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Proportionality to needs No political interests No economic interests Humanitarian Framework Long term commitment Consent from the Parties

8 Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Proportionality to needs Possible political interests Possible economic interests Political Framework Consent from the Parties: Y or N

9 International Humanitarian Law Human Right Law Refugee Law International Humanitarian Law Human Right Law Refugee Law Charter of United Nations (Chapter 7) Resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations Political agreements between States NATO Resolutions Humanitarian Framework Political Framework Legal Framework Human Security Affected Populatio n

10 Diplomatic means Use of Armed forces Logistic means Legal Means Media means Financial means Economic means Humanitarian Framework Political Framework Means of Actions Human Security Affected Populatio n

11 Definition of a Humanitarian Framework Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Proportionality to needs IHL, HR Law Diplomatic means Logistic means Legal Means Media means Financial means Economic means Human Security Affected Populatio n

12 Definition of a Political Framework UN res. NATO Res. …. IHL, HR Law Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Proportionality to needs Political interests Economic interests Long term commitment Consent from the Parties Diplomatic means Use of Armed forces Logistic means Legal Means Media means Financial means Economic means Human Security Affected Populatio n

13 Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Proportionality to needs IHL, HR Law Diplomatic means Logistic means Legal Means Media means Financial means Economic means Human Security Affected Population UN res. NATO Res. …. IHL, HR Law Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Proportionality to needs Political interests Economic interests Long term commitment Consent from the Parties Diplomatic means Use of Armed forces Logistic means Legal Means Media means Financial means Economic means

14 Definition – ECHO 2002 The aim of humanitarian aid is to provide help to people in third countries, who have been victims of natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, droughts, hurricanes), or man-made disasters (wars, conflicts, outbreaks of fighting) or structural crises (severe political, economic or social breakdowns). The focus is mainly on providing goods and services (e.g. food supplies, medicine, vaccinations, water conveyance, psychological support, minesweeping, clothes, shelter, rehabilitation). The aid is also preventive (planting of trees to counter floods, etc.). Its sole aim is to prevent or relieve human suffering. This assistance is directed mainly towards vulnerable people and, as a priority, to those in developing countries. A key point is that it is accorded to victims without discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, sex, age, nationality or political affiliation. Humanitarian aid decisions are to be taken impartially and solely according to the victims' needs and interests. As a result, there are no criteria or conditions for the aid, which is non- refundable.

15 Definition – NATO A humanitarian intervention is an armed intervention in another state, without the agreement of that state, to address (the threat of) a humanitarian disaster, in particular caused by grave and large-scale violations of fundamental human rights. This definition was adopted by a NATO seminar in Scheveningen on the topic in November 1999. The key aspects of this definition are related to sovereignty and human rights. Firstly, for an action to be intervention, sovereignty of the state being intervened in must be breached. Under this definition, INTERFET action in East Timor, while motivated by humanitarian concerns, was not an intervention as the action was undertaken with the consent of the Indonesian government (questions of the power of that government to enforce the decision aside). Secondly, for an intervention to be humanitarian, the desire to address violations of human rights should be the driving force in the intervention decision CSS Strategic Briefing Papers - Volume 3; Part 1; June 2000 -ISSN 1175-1452 HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION: DEFINITIONS AND CRITERIA

16 Criteria – NATO Criteria for Humanitarian Intervention 1. The threat or occurrence of grave and large-scale violations of human rights. 2. Clear and objective evidence of such a threat or occurrence. 3. The government of the state is unwilling or unable to take remedial action. 4. There is clear urgency. 5. The use of force should be the last resort. 6. The purpose is clearly explained to publics and the international community. 7. The purpose is limited to stopping the human rights abuses. 8. The action is supported by those for whom it is intended. 9. There is support of regional states. 10. There should be a high probability of success. 11. There should be a mapped-out transition to post-conflict peace building. 12. The use of force should be proportionate to achieving these goals. 13. International law on the conduct of war should be followed during the action.

17 Definition – NIC US National Intelligence Council - 2002 "Humanitarian emergencies" are defined as situations in which at least 300,000 civilians require international humanitarian assistance to avoid serious malnutrition or death. Our definition includes those situations in which people need protection in order to facilitate access to humanitarian aid.

18 Humanitarian action is significantly more than the delivery of relief goods. Humanitarian principles stress the primacy of action to address human suffering and the right of civilians under international law to be protected from discrimination, violence, torture, and other serious violations of human rights; they also stress the right of civilians to receive, in exceptional circumstances, material assistance necessary for their survival. Independence, impartiality, and neutrality are central to achieving these goals and must be respected during humanitarian operations in conflict areas such as the former Yugoslavia and Somalia. Toward Cooperation Between Humanitarian Aid And Military Forces Sergio Vieira de Mello Director of Policy Planning and Operations, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (1995)

19 Definition of Humanitarian Interventions The term humanitarian in the notion of humanitarian interventions is itself open to a whole spectrum of interpretations. The broadest ones includes any form of interventions against any form of human suffering, whether caused by flood, famine, war, civil conflict, or tyranny. The narrowest ones implies staying away from the political and the military dimensions, from states and coercion together. It postulates that an interventions ceases to be humanitarian if its motives include a selfish calculus of economic or strategic interests, or if its means or consequences lead it to choose sides, to be selective among its beneficiairies, or, even worse, to threaten or inflict suffering or death in the name of protection and peace Hassner P. Hard Choice (1998) – From War and Peace to Violence and Intervention

20 Activities What are the criteria to define a « humanitarian Activity » ?

21 To stop Violations: UN Coercitive diplomaty Peacekeeping Peace enforcement Integrity Substitution to services which normally are supposed to protect people

22 Actors What are the criteria to define a humanitarian actor ?

23 Médecine Humanitaire

24 Actors & Activity Actor Activity Political Field Humanitarian Field X

25 The fundamental objectives of humanitarian action is to alleviate suffering and save lives. Definition of Humanitarian intervention Ideally humanitarian action should also be free of particularistic and political considerations of the parties involved and of the aid donors. Humanitarian action focuses on people and is based on rights.


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