Security policy
There are several reasons why Sweden emphasises human rights in foreign policy. One is that oppression and violations of the rights of the individual lead to instability and armed conflict both within countries and among them, something that has been particularly apparent from the events of the last decade. In the long run, this may have consequences for international peace and security.
During the last ten years, traditional security policy has undergone a shift in perspective. From having previously focused on threats to military security, we have begun to realize that international security and regional stability are also conditional on human rights and a democratic form of government. This broadening of the concept of security requires a holistic approach in which the security of the individual is increasingly the focus of attention and where the security of the state is dependent on that of the individual.
Today's armed conflicts
Participation in the prevention and solution of armed conflicts has long been part of Swedish foreign and security policy. The majority of today's armed conflicts are internal, or, to use another term, civil wars. This means that the causes of conflict with which conflict-prevention operations must deal span over a wide range of problems. Poverty, lack of resources and flagrant prosperity gaps, ethnic and religious persecution and political oppression are causes of conflict that are more prominent today than they were previously.
Internal conflicts are often long-lasting and thus have long-term effects both for a country's social structure and economy, and for the individual person. Populations become particularly vulnerable when internal conflicts include guerilla warfare. Whatever they do, they can become the victims of assaults by one or the other party. In such a situation many people flee, primarily as internal refugees in their own countries, or if they have no choice, as refugees to other countries. Greater respect for human rights and international humanitarian law would enable people to avoid having to leave their homes and societies.
Human rights are decisive in conflict-prevention operations
A repressive regime with strict control over the media, organisations and the legal system may in the short term create an impression of a calm, stable country. But oppression and control often lead to an escalating spiral of violence. Calmness may be transformed into armed resistance and internal conflict.
Crimes against human rights are one of the main reasons for internal conflict, alongside the shortage of resources, distorted economic distribution and lack of channels and procedures for influencing policies. They are often expressed in ethnic and religious conflicts. In order to prevent ethnic conflicts, Sweden works against the discrimination of minority groups. Sweden gives special support to the work undertaken by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and its High Commissioner on National Minorities.
Crimes against human rights are common occurrences during armed conflicts and violations of human rights in themselves tend to act as catalysts for conflict. As opposed to this, respect for human rights acts to prevent conflict. Sweden therefore seeks to stimulate greater understanding for the conflict-prevention role of human rights.
Reports of violations of human rights are compiled both within the UN system, by various non-governmental organisations and by the governments of different countries including Sweden. These reports should be used more extensively by the international community. However warning signals are worthless unless they quickly lead to countermeasures. Thus, for example, the UN special reporter on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions warned in March 1994 against genocide occurring in Rwanda if no action were immediately taken. Genocide began a few months later. It is therefore extremely important for the international community to develop the capacity to react to warning signals by taking concrete action.
Last edited 2007-11-28
