ACDI/CIDA
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Report on the status of the Human Security Network’s main action areas
Annex Nº2
Conflict Prevention
For years the notion of conflict prevention has been defined, discussed, and refined in many
international forums. Indeed the attacks of September 11th have had an impact on this
process, mostly in the context of the military operations in countries whose internal situations
have been identified as threats to the international community. In this context, the Human
Security Network stressed the importance of the June 2001 Report of the Secretary General
of the United Nations on the Prevention of Armed Conflict, which provides a comprehensive
approach to this matter. The Meeting expressed its firm conviction that respect for human
rights, the creation of better conditions for social and economic development as well as good
governance, are essential for the prevention of armed conflicts.
Armed Non-State Actors
It is increasingly evident that in the context of armed conflicts and situations of internal
violence, States are no longer the only actors responsible for ensuring the protection of
civilian population. In most non-international armed conflicts, armed groups have gained
control over part of the country’s territory and the population living there, with limited
understanding or regard for recognized practices for International Humanitarian Law. The
Human Security Network has considered the importance that non-state actors assume in
building human security and acknowledges the importance of devising strategies for use at
the field level that can encourage respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian
Law. The recognition of the role of non- state actors should not diminish, in any sense, the
main importance and responsibility in this regard of national governments of countries that
suffer internal armed conflicts.
Protection of Civilians
In this regard, The Meeting noted that the last three years have seen astonishing progress,
especially in the context of the UN Security Council and other forums of the UN system, in
creating a policy framework for the protection of civilians in armed conflict and in firmly
entrenching this issue on the international peace and security agenda. The members of the
Human Security Network have been instrumental in this effort and remain committed to
working together and individually to establish a culture of protection and compliance. At the
same time, the Human Security Network countries note the links between protection and
compliance as set out in the Report of the International Commission on Intervention and
State Sovereignty, entitled The Responsibility to Protect, and encourage the Network to
undertake discussions on the key ideas of this Report.
NGO and Armed Conflicts
In Santiago, The Meeting noted that relevant work has been initiated by the United Nations
and international NGOs, as they have begun to collate and develop “best” practices for their
engagement with armed groups. The same experience has occurred in the field of preventing
internal conflicts, in particular in promoting public security.
In this regard, The Meeting welcomed the suggestion of the United Nations Secretary-General that NGOs with an interest in the prevention of armed conflicts organize an
international conference of local, national and international NGOs on their role in the
prevention of armed conflict and future interaction with the United Nations in this field.
International Humanitarian Law and Humanitarian Personnel in Conflict
Situations
The Meeting stressed the crucial importance of respect for International Humanitarian Law,
in maintaining at least a minimum of human security in conflict situations, especially with
regard to the safety of humanitarian personnel. The Human Security Network expressed its
deep concern about the increasing number of attacks against these kinds of personnel. The
Meeting expressed its intention to work together towards improving the safety of
humanitarian workers.
Landmines
The Meeting renewed the commitment of Network countries to global efforts to prohibit the
use, stockpiling, production and transfer of antipersonnel landmines, to eradicate the fields
of landmines as well as to destroy the stocks of these inhumane arms, according with the
legal and moral imperative imposed by the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use,
Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. The
Human Security Network remains strongly committed to the ratification, full implementation,
and universalization of this international instrument.
Small Arms
The Meeting noted the significant advances recently made in reducing the human cost of gun
violence. In this field, the Firearms Protocol of the Transnational Organized Crime and the
UN Program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons demonstrate the growing
international consensus that concrete measures must be taken to reduce the availability and
misuse of small arms. The Human Security Network countries undertake to continue
promoting the implementation of the 2001 UN Program of Action, particularly on issues that
enhance people’s safety. Therefore, the Human Security Network intends to engage in a
dialogue about possibilities of addressing the urgent human security crisis posed by the
proliferation of small arms and light weapons in order to consolidate an agenda for action.
The Meeting acknowledged the progress that has been achieved in the Americas through the
adoption of the Inter American Convention Against Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking in
Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials, as well as through several
seminars and meetings held to fully implement the mentioned Convention, in order to stress
cooperation to prevent, control and punish the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons.
Children and Human Security
During the last few years, important progress has been achieved in favor of the rights and
protection of children, especially on behalf of those exposed to armed conflicts or
exploitation of different kinds. This progress is evidenced by the entry into force, earlier this
year, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the
involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and of the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the
Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography, as well as by the adoption of
the Agenda for War-Affected Children at the Winnipeg Conference on War-Affected
Children in September 2000, and the ongoing work of the UN Security Council in this area.
The Meeting expressed its satisfaction that this comprehensive framework was conveyed by
Chile to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on behalf of the Human Security
Network during the United Nations Special Session on Children in May 2002. The Meeting
renewed the commitment of Human Security Network countries to promote the protection
of children, increasing the respect for the human rights of children and continuing efforts to
pursue the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and it’s Optional
Protocols.
The Meeting welcomed the outcome of the Special Session on Children entitled A World Fit
for Children, adopted by the General Assembly in May 2002.
Corporate Citizenship
The Meeting highlighted the important role of the private sector and of “corporate
citizenship” principles and initiatives in advancing human security objectives. The Human
Security Network reiterated its support to international initiatives such as the United Nations
Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the ILO’s
Declaration on fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The Meeting instructed officials
of the Human Security Network to continue to cooperate in favour of these and other
initiatives at global, regional, and national levels, aimed at strengthening cooperation
between governments, the private sector, and civil society, in promoting the security and well
being of people.
Human Rights Education and Learning
The IVth Ministerial Meeting of the Human Security Network recognized the strategic role
of human rights education and learning in the context of societal development providing a
core basis for human development as well as for human security, societal stability and
conflict prevention. Appreciation was expressed for the special focus to be given to human
rights education during the Chilean leadership of the Network and Austria’s commitment to
maintain this focus. Particular interest was expressed with regard to the recent creation of
“human rights cities” in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Human rights education
acquires a particular significance in the context of “post-dictatorial“ or “post-conflict”
societal rehabilitation providing a suitable framework for acquiring a political culture shared
by all sectors of society on the basis of the respect for human rights. The support provided
by UNDP to these programs was noted with appreciation.
HIV/AIDS
The Meeting acknowledged the considerable challenges that the spread of HIV/AIDS
represents to humanity and the many connections of this phenomena with central human
security issues. The Members of the Human Security Network welcomed the Chairman’s
summary adopted at the first Intersessional Meeting of the Human Security Network on
Human Security and HIV/AIDS (21-22 January 2002) organized by the Government of
Thailand on the margins of the First Senior Officials Meeting in Bangkok, 23 January 2002.
The Meeting supported the development of a concrete project on human security and
HIV/AIDS in the Greater Mekong Subregion to generate better understanding of human
security issues at a regional level and to support the on-going international cooperation
addressed to effectively fight this pandemic. The Meeting stressed, also, the importance of
the outcome and the full implementation of the outcome document of the UN Special Session
on HIV/AIDS that was adopted in June 2001.
Resources for Development
The Meeting acknowledged the close and mutually reinforcing linkages between human
security and human development in keeping with what was agreed in the Ministerial Meeting
of Petra, Jordan, held in May 2001. In the same sense, the Human Security Network countries
welcomed the Monterrey consensus and the commitments for increasing official development
assistance made during the International Conference on Financing for Development held in
Mexico in March 2002. Furthermore, The Meeting welcomed the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD) as a major African initiative that could put the continent on
the road to sustainable development and contribute significantly to ensuring the well-being
of its people. They also expressed their support to help African countries implement NEPAD.
Transnational Organized Crime
The Meeting welcomed the progress achieved through the United Nations Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), which in December 2000 was signed by 124
countries. The UNTOC extends to a global and multilateral level a number of tools for
cooperation against organized crime. The Members of the Network are confident that the
UNTOC, in combination with its three completed Protocols on the Illicit Trafficking in
Firearms, Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons –currently open for signature–
will make an important contribution to curbing criminal activities, which are often the source
of violence and insecurity. The Human Security Network also noted the role of armed
conflict in generating conditions which make it possible for criminal activity to flourish.
Consistently, The Meeting renewed its support to the international efforts such as those
undertaken by the UN Security Council and the South Africa led Kimberley Process, towards
breaking the link between the illicit trade in rough diamonds and armed conflict in Africa,
and in developing effective approaches to addressing economic dimensions of conflicts.
Women, Peace and Security
The adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security,
in October 2000, marked a landmark for Human Security Network countries to work on the
implementation of concrete measures to ensure that women are full and equal participants
in all aspects of peacemaking, peace building, conflict resolution, and post conflict
reconstruction. A concrete action undertaken in this field by the Network was the Workshop
on Gendering Human Security, held in Oslo, Norway on January 2001. The Meeting
reiterated its commitment to continue to cooperate on the implementation of the
recommendation of UNSC Resolution 1325.
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