Statement by the Human Security Network
Concerning the Terrorist Attacks in the United States of America, 11 September 2001

The Human Security Network strongly condemns the brutal, cowardly acts of terrorism committed in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on 11 September 2001 and expresses its deepest sympathy to the people and government of the United States, and especially to the families of the victims. These terrorist attacks are a further, horrifying indication of the pervasiveness of threats to people's safety, rights and lives. They attest to the vulnerability of individuals when faced with acts of hate and senselessness. In this regard, the Human Security Network welcomes Security Council Resolutions 1368 (2001) and 1373 (2001) and the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 56/1.

As the international community faces the implications of these tragic events, we must recognize that innovative international approaches are needed to address growing sources of global insecurity, remedy its symptoms and prevent the recurrence of threats that affect the daily lives of millions of people. As a Network of countries committed to pursuing human security, we declare our firm intention to work in support of international efforts to address issues, including conflict, alienation and deprivation currently leading to human insecurity, and pledge to actively promote and participate in an international coalition against terrorism.

We further commit ourselves to develop - in cooperation with non-governmental actors - an agenda which will enable us to apply concrete, constructive human security perspectives to public security, including those aimed at eradicating terrorism. At the same time, the Human Security Network reaffirms its commitment to combat this scourge.

The Human Security Network urges the international community to cooperate to bring those responsible for these acts to justice as quickly as possible. Actions of this nature must not happen again; we pledge to continue to promote efforts to identify the perpetrators of these cruel acts as well as to facilitate discussion of human security in various multilateral forums, particularly during the fifty-sixth United Nations General Assembly.