Human Security Centre Human Rights and International Security Research
Since our launch in 2013, we have drawn attention to a wide range of topics, with a focus on humanitarian intervention and mass atrocity crimes.
We have felt, however, that it is becoming increasingly important for us to address critical and pervasive threats to human security that may not necessarily fall within the ambit of humanitarian intervention, no matter how broadly we define it.
With that in mind, we have made the decision to re-launch the organisation as the Human Security Centre.
With an increased focus on individuals at the centre of security issues, we will now be able to draw attention to the complexity and interrelatedness of old and newly emerging security threats, ranging from political repression to famine and genocide. We wish to be able and free to challenge religious persecution and female genital mutilation and look into issues such as terrorism, conflict-induced forced migration and post-conflict societal development.
We have also recruited a large Advisory Board so we can focus on facilitating closer cooperation between the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in addressing threats to human security. In the near future, we hope to be able to draw on the expertise from other regions.
In addition, we have set up within the organisation a Religion and Politics division, dedicated to monitoring and promoting the freedom of religion and belief. This will accompany our three existing divisions: ‘Human Rights and Conflict Resolution’, ‘Defence and Security’ and ‘Global Governance’.
The rebranding does not affect our mission. We will continue to promote freedom and democracy, a robust foreign policy, and cooperation between countries that share our values. The promotion of these principles will be accompanied by us vigorously challenging the practice, promotion, toleration, relativisation or denial of genocide, terrorism or otherwise the intentional killing of civilians. We will also continue to demand the protection of innocent people with all necessary means, including force as the last resort.
The HSC is committed to address and formulate solutions to current and emerging threats by undertaking investigative research and providing critical analysis, academic commentary and policy recommendations across a range of human security issues. The HSC aims to promote and to help create an international society in which individuals and communities everywhere are able to live free from fear, free from want and free from indignity.
