Human security

The term "human security“ must be understood as a complement to the traditional concept of security, which focuses on the defence of state territory. It embraces questions and problems that cannot be addressed by employing conventional security mechanisms.

Two different – but not contradictory – interpretations of the term exist. In the broader interpretation, poverty, hunger, disease and natural disasters constitute just as grave a security risk as armed conflicts. In its narrower definition the term means the protection of the individual from threats such as violent conflicts, human-rights violations, arbitrary power, landmines, sexual violence, internal displacement and people-trafficking.

Switzerland’s foreign policy takes account of both these interpretations. The Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA) promotes human security through programmes to combat poverty, improve healthcare and strengthen good governance – while at the same time working for the prohibition of anti-personnel mines, the improved control of small arms and light weaponry, and an end to the deployment of child soldiers and to people-trafficking. It takes an active role in gender-related matters.

The concept of human security has now begun to appear on the agenda at multinational forums. A Canadian initiative, for example, led to the creation of a network to promote it throughout the world. A platform for the exchange of ideas and information, its member states include countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Its initiatives and discussions centre on subjects like small arms and light weaponry, anti-personnel mines, child soldiers, the reform of UN institutions, women and peace, people-trafficking, AIDS and development.

Switzerland works to promote human security in a number of different areas.

• It is involved in combating the uncontrolled spread of small arms.
• It works for the prohibition of anti-personnel mines at multilateral level.
• It supports the continued development and implementation of international humanitarian law, and of the international protection of human rights.
• It pursues a comparatively open policy vis-à-vis non-governmental armed groups in its efforts to help resolve conflicts.
• It conducts projects to strengthen the rule of law, helping with the processes involved in constitutional reform.
• It is involved in activities aimed at coming to terms with the past, in order to consolidate peace in post-conflict situations.