A/HRC/17/39 advances programmes and policies that counter and address emerging threats in a manner that is contextually relevant and prioritized. This helps Governments and the international community to better utilize their resources and to develop strategies that strengthen the protection and empowerment framework needed for the assurance of human security and the promotion of peace and stability at every level – local, national, regional and international.” 19. Regarding national sovereignty, the document argues that (a) “the Charter also gives equal weight to the sovereignty of States as well as to the livelihood and dignity of people everywhere. As articulated in the preamble and in Articles 1 and 2 of the Charter, the international community cannot have peace and security unless the rights of individuals and their fundamental freedoms are supported. In this context, human security, by addressing the varied aspects of insecurity and by focusing on the respective roles of individuals, communities and Governments, provides the analytical framework for the creation of genuine possibilities for partnership between Governments and citizens. As a result, the application of human security is expected to reinforce the stability and security of both, as well as that of the international community.” (b) “Common to all the above definitions are three essential components that encompass the principles of human security and help further explore the added value of the concept. First, human security is in response to current and emerging threats – threats that are multiple, complex and interrelated and can acquire transnational dimensions. Second, human security calls for an expanded understanding of security where the protection and empowerment of people form the basis and the purpose of security. Third, human security does not entail the use of force against the sovereignty of States and aims to integrate the goals of freedom from fear, freedom from want and freedom to live in dignity through people-centred, comprehensive, context-specific and preventive strategies.” (c) “The human security concept derives much of its strength from a dual policy framework that rests upon the mutually reinforcing pillars of protection and empowerment. Application of this framework offers a comprehensive approach that combines top-down norms, processes and institutions, including the establishment of early warning mechanisms, good governance and social protection instruments, with a bottom-up focus, in which participatory processes support the important role of individuals and communities as actors in defining and implementing their essential freedoms. As a result, human security not only promotes a framework under which people are protected and empowered, and are therefore in a better position to actively prevent and mitigate the impact of insecurities, but it also helps in establishing a social contract among various actors in a given society by cultivating public discourse, promoting local ownership and strengthening States (…).” 34

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