The denial of human security is the direct result of oppression and subjugation perpetuated by structures of political domination. It conditions attitudes and suspicions defined by a history which is not their making. Indeed, a frightened peoples cannot reflect or act clearly and therefore the domination ideology defies all human values and with resolute single mindedness attempts to perpetuate a permanent order of fear. In doing so, it hopes that the people might be deceived into supporting the instruments of structural oppression.
One needs to acknowledge the paradox of human history and its tribulations. When a people are completely overwhelmed by compelling circumstances they cannot be regarded as free, in spite of the fact that they are entitled to such rights. For instance, just because a people are entitled to be free, does not necessarily mean they are free when overwhelmed by the circumstances of the situation. Similarly, just because one has the right to land does not mean that such a right is enjoyed when the land is overwhelmed by domination and exploitation.
Recognizing that no one can claim to have monopoly of insights, the existing objective realities demands that ones mind be broadened, so as to imagine all that one has not dared to imagine. Furthermore, knowing fully well that any movement reflects the image of humanity: imperfect, frail and real; it becomes imperative to reason and transcend together from the fear of disillusionment and to emerge out of the frozen images and replace it with the realities that calls out for the liberation of the human mind and spirit. Based on such reasoning one must critically analyze the concrete situation of their historical, geographical and political realities.
The 1992 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report defines human security as, “first, safety from such chronic threats as hunger, disease and repression. And second, it means protection from sudden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life – whether in homes, in jobs or in communities.” It establishes human security as a universal concern because it “is relevant to people everywhere, in rich nations and poor.” Aspects that violate human security are common experience and consist of interdependent issues that threaten the security of people anywhere in the world at varying degrees, such as HIV/AIDS or political subjugation.
There is a conscious attempt to broaden the scope of security in going beyond its traditional preoccupation with military issues. Human security is people centered, as is “concerned with how people live and breathe in a society, how freely they exercise their many choices, how much access they have to market and social opportunities – and whether they live in conflict or peace.”
In actual the traditional concept of security must change from an exclusive emphasis on territorial security and armament to one in which security means people security and sustainable human development in all aspects of life.
