The OSCE and human security

Abstract

Introduction Is the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) concerned with human security? Considering the OSCE’s broad approach to security and its longstanding activities in the area of promoting individual security and human rights in the OSCE area, this may seem a strange question. Yet, until recently the OSCE’s work has largely been disconnected from the emerging practice of and the global debate over the concept of human security. This article examines — in the light of the practice and theory of human security since the concept emerged in the 1994 United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Human Development Report — whether or not the OSCE ‘does’ human security, and if (and how) a ‘human security approach’ could benefit the organisation. The article analyzes the consequences of the emergence, development and application of human security for the OSCE and asks if the lessons which can be drawn from this ‘history’ of human security should motivate the OSCE to engage more seriously with the concept.