How safe and free are people as individuals? Seminar on CKS Public Lecture Series Human Security in Cambodia: Far From Over Pou Sovachana 23 July 2015

Outline 1. What is Human Security? 2. Different definitions of Human Security 3. Human security goals 4. Human security in practice 5. Human security and other concepts 6. Human security in Cambodia and its challenges

What is Human Security ? The interest of the state versus interest of the people Traditional Security vs. Human Security 1. Traditional Security: State-centered Security - “…protection of the territorial integrity, stability, and vital interests of states through the use of political, legal, or military instruments at the state or international level” (King and Murray 2001). - “…the safeguarding of territorial integrity and national interdependence from any external threat” (UN 1945) 2. Human Security: People-centered or people oriented Security - Concerns the individual and the community rather than the state - Broader understanding of threats in seven areas including economic, environmental, personal, and political threats, and those involving food, health, and community - Context-specific and prevention-oriented - The range of actors that participate in the provision of security is wider.

Different Definitions of Human Security used by International Organizations and Governments 1. UN “safety from such chronic threats as hunger, disease and repression” and “protection from sudden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life-where in homes, in jobs or in communities” (UNDP 1994) “safety from such chronic threats as hunger, disease and repression” and “protection from sudden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life-where in homes, in jobs or in communities” (UNDP 1994) “to protect the vital core of all human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfillment” (UN Commission on Human Security 2003) 2. Japan: Freedom from want (broad approach: human basic needs, equal access to education and health care,…) “Human Security may be defined as the preservation and protection of the life and dignity of individual human beings”…“human security can be ensured only when the individual is confident of a life free of fear and free of want” (Takasu 2000) 3. Canada: Freedom from fear (narrow approach: protection of the civilians, conflict prevention, public safety) “Human security means freedom from pervasive threats to people’s rights, safety or lives”(Canadian Foreign Ministry)

Human security goals and the need for prioritization Freedom from fear Freedom from want Freedom to live in dignity Violence Humiliation Poverty DisastersPandemics Three Freedoms are correlated. Public safety is prerequisite, and the other two come simultaneously. Freedom to live in dignity is very important.

Human security in practice Operational principles: Combines protection from above and empowerment from below. Both components are interlinked and need to be satisfied. Provision of security by multiple actors, specially the State (Protection) Actions enabling people to cope with risks themselves (Empowerment)

Human security and other concepts Human security and state security are mutually reinforcing and dependent on each other. Human security and state security are mutually reinforcing and dependent on each other. Non-traditional security: human security includes both cross border and local issues Non-traditional security: human security includes both cross border and local issues Peace: human security joins the main agenda items of peace, Peace: human security joins the main agenda items of peace, security and development; supports a broader, needs-based model for peace building security and development; supports a broader, needs-based model for peace building Development: focuses on downside risks with stability Development: focuses on downside risks with stability Human rights: bottom-up assessment and prioritization of rights, in spite of rights’ generation. Human rights: bottom-up assessment and prioritization of rights, in spite of rights’ generation.

Human security in Cambodia and its challenges: what we’ve achieved and shortcomings After the 1998 election violence, the Cambodians have become more secure than ever before if their security is assessed in terms of freedom from fear aside the Thai Border conflict (since June 2008 ). There is little chance of civil war or revolution. However, Cambodians remain insecure. Dire poverty caused by economic factors continued undiminished due to the weakness of formal institutional capacity for human protection and empowerment.

Current Status of Cambodian Millennium Development Goals (2010 Data)

What we want? Freedom from hunger, disease, persecution and repression along with the creation of a better life for our children.

Why worry? We’re doing well economically GDP growth in 2012: 7.2% and 2014 were about the same. Surely the good times are near. Humanitarian assistance is a short term goal but people empowerment is more desirable in the long term to achieve lasting growth.

We have Angkor Wat Tourism is a national treasure that can lead us to the eradication of poverty.

We are still an LDC and corrupt too? Despite growth and development, poverty persists and we are considered a third world country by the World Bank and the UN. For years, Transparency International has placed Cambodia as one of the most corrupted nations in the world. In 2013 and 2014, Cambodia was ranked 160 and 156 out 175 respectively as the most corrupted countries.

What about human security? We have to accept that the system is not working. Without addressing fundamental governance issues, progress will remain challenging. Cambodia needs an end to corruption and the culture of impunity. It needs to provide better health care, hospitals and schools. It needs to empower its citizens with human rights and freedom of expression. It needs to hold all politicians accountable for human insecurity. It needs meaningful development that will benefit the masses instead of the few.

Who cares? Raising the bar Everyone says they care. Most of us are grateful that we survived through the killing field and this era is better than the past. This is the baseline for the unfortunate Khmer people who never seen what other options available for them.

What is the cost? According to data from rights group Licadho, local and foreign firms now control 3.9 million hectares of land concession, or more than 22 percent of Cambodia’s total surface. The land grabbing issue is the latest example of the state struggling to meet the needs of its citizens, needs as basic as providing clean water, decent housing, health care, social justice and education.

Land Issues

What to do? : 777,000 people have adversely affected by land grabs in Cambodia

What to do? Nearly 150,000 forcibly transferred from the capital

Land issues by the number : 777,000 people have adversely affected by land grabs in Cambodia - Nearly 150,000 forcibly transferred from the capital

What to do? The Government has to its credit set the groundwork for reform, but the solutions…people want freedom from fear, freedom from want, and freedom to live in dignity. Reforms should be designed to improve the living standards of the marginalized.

Thank You!