Thematic Debate on Human Security

Statement by Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in the General Assembly Thematic Debate on Human Security 22 May 2008

Mr. President,

Excellencies and Dear Colleagues

We thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this Thematic Debate on the important concept of human security. We also thank His Royal Highness Prince El-Hassan bin Talal of Jordan for his insightful and thought provoking remarks. We can completely endorse his comprehensive approach to the concept of human security.

The origin of the concept of human security flows from the UN Charter itself. Its first words are: "We the peoples of the United Nations." Thus, it is our peoples who expressed four goals:

• to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war;
• to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small;
• to establish respect for the obligations arising from treaties and international law; and
• to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.

These purposes of the UN Charter capture the concept of human security in a balanced way. However, in the 60 years since the adoption of the Charter, these purposes have been imperfectly promoted. Despite the call for equal rights – for individuals and nations – the disparities and gaps among and within nations have grown wider today. The rich are richer today and poor are much poorer as compared to sixty years ago. And people are confronted with numerous economic, political and cultural challenges.

The Ambassador of Mexico, one of the sponsors of the Friends of Human Security, has highlighted in his statement the preventive approach of human security. This preventive aspect should involve three important aspects:

1. Development: To address the multiple issues raised by Prince Talal such as Market, commodities, finance, and environment and to prevent people from suffering in conflicts ensuing from the politics of security;
2. Dispute resolution and conflict prevention: The record of the international community in this area is mixed at best. Foreign occupation and denial of right of peoples to self-determination continues with impunity in places for over 60 years. Unequal solutions are imposed by powerful States, as also manifested in the work of the UN Security Council;
3. Application of international law: Powerful States have continued to use force, selectively, oppression and repression by the powerful against the weak is frequent, and some major powers have committed violations of international humanitarian law in particular.

Human Security implies the concept of "one people"- all are equal, all have equal rights to life, liberty and freedom and also right to food, health, employment and opportunities to live with dignity.

One major challenge to human security is the unequal pace of evolution of the world in different areas. Globalization has integrated economies, trade, finance and environment; but political decisions, including on economic issues, continue to be taken by States/Governments in the interest and with the authority of their own peoples. States have unequal powers in decisions affecting their own peoples and other peoples.

Not surprisingly, those subjected to unequal decisions are concerned about the possible misuse of human security to enlarge the so called concept of Responsibility to Protect interference and intervention in the internal affairs of States. Responsibility to protect is restricted as a response to genocide, to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The promotion of equitable global governance is, therefore, essential to realize global human security, including governance of the BWIs, WTO and at the UN. This aim too was reflected in the UN Charter which states: “to unite our strength, to maintain international peace and security” and “employ international machinery for the promotion of economic and social advancement of all peoples”.

Thank you.