A Key question:

Is Human Security a Political Concept or a Humanitarian

Concept ?

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.

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.

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

ICRCP

olitical Hu

man

itarian

Human Security and the Concept of Humanitarian & Political Frameworks

Based on:. Principles. Law. Means

• Humanity

• Impartiality

• Neutrality

• Independence

• Proportionality to needs

• No political interests

• No economic interests

Humanitarian Framework

• Long term commitment

• Consent from the Parties

• Humanity

• Impartiality

• Neutrality

• Independence

• Proportionality to needs

• Possible political interests

• Possible economic interests

Political Framework

• Consent from the Parties: Y or N

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 SecurityAffected

Population

Diplomatic means

Use of Armed forces

Logistic means

Legal Means

Media means

Financial means

Economic means

Humanitarian Framework

Political Framework

Means of Actions

Human SecurityAffected

Population

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 SecurityAffected

Population

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 SecurityAffected

Population

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Human SecurityAffected

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Definition – ECHO 2002The 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.

Definition – NATOA 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

Criteria – NATOCriteria 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. 

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.

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)

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

Activities

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

To stop Violations: UN

• Coercitive diplomaty

• Peacekeeping

• Peace enforcement

Integrity

Substitution to services

which normally are supposed to

protect people

Actors

What are the criteria to define a humanitarian actor ?

Médecine Humanitaire

Actors & Activity

Actor

Activity

Political Field

Humanitarian Field

X

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.