Human Security and the Face of War in United Kingdom - Essay Example

HUMAN SECURITY AND THE FACE OF WAR IN UNITED KINGDOM Human security refers to an emerging paradigm for comprehending worldwide vulnerabilities. The proponents of human security dispute the relevance of traditional concept of national security by asserting that the proper focus for security should be the individual rather than the state. Human security aims at protecting the “vital core” of all persons such that the long term needs are fulfilled (Alkire, 2002). Further, she noted that human security takes the form from the human being; the vital core that deserves the protection. In addition, Alkire (2002) argues that the establishments that engage to protect human security will not be in a position to promote each and every aspect of human well-being. However, in any case, these institutions should safeguard the critical element of human life. United Kingdom is made up of Northern Ireland and Great Britain; Great Britain includes Wales, Scotland and England. Currently, it has a Population of 60,776,238 with a growth rate of zero point three percent. This dissertation will explore the efforts made in the United Kingdom to embrace the idea of human security. Further it will examine the weaknesses of the United Kingdom in address human security. After the cold war, research in a multi disciplinary approach shaped the understanding of security. In the United Kingdom, the government has shifted focus to protecting its citizen rather than just protecting the boundaries. With the increasing levels of world integration, United Kingdom is at the forefront in addressing the problem of insecurity resulting from the integration (Berdal, 1999). The interest of security goes beyond the administration boundaries and entails making the world more peaceful (United Nation, 1994). According to the United Nations Development Programme (1994) insecurity can be dealt with by ensuring there is "freedom from fear" and "freedom from want for every human being. The United Kingdom policies guarantee security to every individual regardless of race, background, colour, cultural orientation and religion. Moreover, the United Kingdom government is committed to addressing the issues of human rights at diplomatic level with emphasize to justice and fairness in Northern Ireland as well as Britain. However, in the spate of war spearheaded by the United Kingdom, the procedures, laws and practices of law enforcer have resulted to contravention of the globally acknowledged rights to life, freedom from cruelty or torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, to fair trial, and to freedom of assembly and expression. Human security encompasses economic issues, violation of human rights, diseases, poverty, environmental issues and natural calamities (United Nation Development Programme, 1994). Although, the United Kingdom is engaged in war, the need for economic security, food security, health security, environmental security, personal security, community security and political security has been met. United Kingdom pioneered in the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. North Atlantic Treaty Organization defence strategies include air, maritime and land operation of which United Kingdom is a main contributor; it is third rated in its contribution to defence. In addition, United Kingdom constitutes the European Union, which has its own formulation of security. Again, United Kingdom constitutes the United Nation’s Security Council as a permanent member. It held the Presidency of the G-8 during 2005 as well as the European Union Presidency from July to December 2005. Apart from protecting the United Kingdom territories, the armed forces of the United Kingdom extend their operation to its overseas empires. Moreover, the armed forces are involved in peacekeeping mission on a worldwide basis. The Royal Navy, which consists of forty two thousand members, controls the nuclear weapons. In addition, the British Royal Marines have a specialized unit for counter attack which is trained to act with precision. Besides being regular and active contributors of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the British Army, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines involved in other security alliances. The United Kingdom has been in the forefront in combating terrorist activities on a global scale. After the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 on the United States, the United Kingdom allied with United States in the hunt for the mastermind of the attack, Osama Bin Laden who was residing in Afghanistan. The United States led war resulted to the ousting of the then Afghanistan leader who was known to violate human right and freedom. United Kingdom further collaborated with United States in the war against the Iraqi government under the former monarch, Saddam Hussein. Moreover, United Kingdom army has its presence in Iraqi to assist in rebuilding the country as well as calming down the insurgence. Britain had, in collaboration with the United States, launched air strikes against Iraq in 1998 after Saddam Hussein expelled UN arms inspectors after the suspicion that Iraqi was developing weapon of mass destruction. The United Kingdom together with the United States participated in the processes leading to the transfer of Iraqi independence. United Kingdom’s involvement in the Iraqi changeover has been greatly criticized both nationally and internationally. United Kingdom and in particular Britain, was in the forefront during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Kosovo operation where Slobodan Milosevic was injected out of Yugoslavian. The operation which was carried out in 1999 was meant to protect the citizens of Yugoslavia. In 2002, Britain again allied strongly with the United States in support of President Bush's call for a war against Iraq. Tony Blair, who was the prime minister then, allowed the British armed force to attack Iraqi on the ground that Iraqi was developing dangerous weapons that had the capacity to destroy en mass; the military efforts were aimed a securing global security. Some critics and government officials claimed that the war on Iraq was not justified and the alleged Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction was an exaggeration. On July 7, 2005, United Kingdom suffered a terrorist bombing in Britain. The bombs which detonated in a bus and in a subway station killed and wounded innocent civilians. The bombing was seen as a result to Britain's engagement in Iraq whereby it fuelled Islamic extremism. However, Tony Blair contends that the bombings were the result of an “evil ideology” that had taken root before the Iraq war. Recently, many military actions would have been avoided with the use of diplomatic means as well as putting into place proper systems to aid in the steady and thorough use of measures that are not military oriented. However, when military actions are considered it is of essence take into account the way in which the operations are carried out so as to safeguard the civilian. Military interventions would be successful where they accomplish the political agenda and the objectives of the intervener while enhancing the security of individual person. The loss of lives and the human suffering which is brought about by military interventions results in anger against the superseding forces and ultimately stimulates a series of aggression. The most unfavourable outcome of conflicts is civilian victims. The circumstances of military intervention are made worse by the fact that the casualties are not identified with definite figures; reliable information on casualty is significant for moral, political, humanitarian purpose. In the wake of the twenty first century, the world is experiencing increased terrorists activities, regional wars, collapsing states, organized crimes as well as rise in sophisticated weapons. Therefore, the United Kingdom cannot overlook the increasing world insecurity. Goulet (1995) asserts that there is a need for a fundamental rethink of Europe's approach to security not only within its borders but beyond. Berdal (1999) assumes that Europeans population are insecure as long as people of other countries or regions live under unbearable conditions. A region that is characterized by poverty, extremist ideology, anarchy and regular aggression gives rise to human rights violations, criminal networks and terrorist activities. Therefore, United Kingdom efforts to promote global security should be the number one agenda in its policy formulation. So as to engage in human security operations, the United Kingdom will require new and superior human skills and resources; presently, the United Kingdom can only deploy a few people to conflict areas. Civilian professionals as well police are needed in protection of human life. The United Kingdom has embraced the concept of human security to the extent of incorporating its elements in its foreign policy. The foreign policy has preserved its distinct focus on development, security, peace and international cooperation since the Cold War. The United Kingdom has participated immensely on a global scale in matters of human security. United Kingdom has consistently considered human security in its budget with dedicated funding where the concepts and terms defining human security are used; for instance, issues like civil protection in armed conflict, transforming endorsed regimes to lessen humanitarian results, strengthening the rights of women in countries such as Afghanistan, and humanitarian actions to guard against future genocides as of Srebrenica and Rwanda are part of the agenda. Conclusion The United Kingdom’s general understanding of human security centres on achieving freedom from insidious threats to the rights of individual persons or lives: that is human security entail accountability in governance, civilians’ protection, public safety, conflict deterrence and peace missions. Moreover, human security is recently more often referred to in a wide range of policy discussions in United Kingdom and is even taught in institutions of higher learning. References: Alkire, S. (2002): Valuing Freedoms - Sen Capability Approach and Poverty Reduction, Oxford University Press, Oxford Annan, K. (2000): Millennium Report of the Secretary General of the United Nation: We the Peoples – The Role of the United Nations in the 21stCentury, United Nations Department of Public Information, New York Arendt, H. (1958): The Human Condition, the University of Chicago Press, Chicago Axworthy, L. (2001): Human Security and Global Governance - Putting People First, GlobalGovernance.19-23. Berdal, M. (1999): International Security after the Cold War - Aspects of Continuity and Change, In Spillmann and Wenger. Towards the Twenty First Century -Trends in Post-Cold War International Security Policy, Bern, Peter Lang, Germany 20-54. Brandt Commission. (1980). North-South - A programme for survival, The Report of the Independent Commission on International Development Issues under the Chairmanship of Willy Brandt. Pan Books, London Goulet, D. (1995): Development Ethics - A Guide to Theory and Practice, Zed Books, London Roland, P. (2001). Human Security: Paradigm Shift or Hot Air? In: International Security, Vol. 26, No. 2 United Nations Development Programme. (1994): Human Development Report Read More