“Human Security” is a new agenda for global action which proposes that the safety and well-being of the individual, rather than the state, must be at the center of security policies. At its core, human security means freedom from invasive threats to people's rights, their safety, or their lives. For many governments, human security has become a measure of global security.
The profound reality of the world we live in today is that terrorism bred in one country knows no boundaries and can threaten the human security of all the world’s citizens. In light of these threats, efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of terrorist attacks must be balanced with programs that address the root causes of terrorism. Human security and human development are interrelated and mutually reinforcing, with human security encompassing a wide range of issues such as conflict prevention, financial crisis, and social protection.
WFM supports multilateral, comprehensive efforts to end the scourge of terrorism and cautions against unilateral, military "solutions" that may worsen the possibilities for long-term peace. However, while stressing the importance of multilateral efforts for combating terrorism, WFM recognizes the value of regional and national actions when performed in compliance with the United Nations’ Charter. Moreover, WFM advocates that any efforts to combat acts of terrorism must be carried out according to and consistent with international human rights and humanitarian law.
Following the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001, the issue of terrorism was brought to a new level of urgency. The United Nations is seeking to strengthen the capacity of member states to combat terrorism, prosecute terrorists, curb funding of terrorist acts and prevent the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists. It is significant that such activities have largely been at the direction of the Security Council. In passing resolutions 1373, 1540 and others, the Security Council has imposed far-reaching requirements on States to modify their legal and financial systems and to report to the UN on their progress. This type of legislation of member states’ activity had formerly been done by the General Assembly through the negotiation of treaties and other multilateral instruments. This development is reassuring in reemphasizing the need for universal legal actions by all UN Member States to combat terror and crimes against humanity. However, the Security Council's unilateral implementation of these laws is worrying because only the General Assembly represents the full democratic character of the United Nations.
WFM applauds the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his efforts to address these new challenges for world peace and welcomes the report of the Secretary-General appointed High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. WFM supports the call by the High-level Panel for a consensus definition of terrorism achieved within the General Assembly and for further negotiations on a convention on terrorism.
In this area:
Introduction to Peace and Conflict Prevention | Conflict Prevention | United Nations Emergency Peace Service | Human Security and Terrorism
