PLAN OF ACTION FOR SLOVENIAN CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE HUMAN SECURITY NETWORK

June 2006–May 2007

Action Plan (317 KB, pdf)

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OBJECTIVES

• extending the influence and increasing the visibility of the HSN

• achieving wider consensus and understanding among HSN partners on particular human security issues

• efficiently involving the HSN in a greater number of global responses on the basis of concrete activities within international events

• propose a joint action of the HSN Ministers for Foreign Affairs on a specific issue

PROCESS

• coordination of HSN activities and ongoing consultations with HSN partners

• organisation of HSN meetings at the level of ministers and high officials, conferences, workshops, and briefings on human security issues 

• cooperation in the implementation of UN resolutions and other documents on human security issues that were adopted at international conferences

• representing HSN views on human security issues at international conferences on behalf of the HSN chair

• cooperation with the civil society and academicians

• engaging new partners from other countries and institutions to gain wider support for HSN activities

• informing the public of current HSN activities

Slovenia drew up a workplan for the period of its chairmanship on the basis of the Second HSN Medium Term Workplan defining HSN fields of activity in the 2005–2008 period. During its chairmanship, Slovenia will carry on regular HSN activities and devote particular attention to the following topics on which the HSN might formulate a joint position:

• The role of the HSN in the Human Rights Council

• Promotion of intercultural dialogue through human rights education

• Violence against children and children affected by armed conflicts 

SLOVENIA’S PRIORITIES AND ACTIVITIES

Human Security Network Issues

Effective multilateral institutions

Slovenia will promote HSN activities on the basis of recommendations deriving from the 2005 UN Summit Outcome Document. Based on Article 143 of the Document regarding the understanding of human security, Slovenia will strive to continue the discussion on the human security concept within the UN.

Slovenia will endeavour to increase the visibility of the Network through statements on behalf of the Network, where such statements, based on consensus among its members, could contribute to debates. Joint statements are particularly welcome in the relevant thematic debates in the Security Council.

Slovenia proposes that the HSN continue to assist the development of the Responsibility to Protect concept, on the basis of its endorsement at the UN Summit last September, by identifying the opportunities for promoting the concept in different regions and through multilateral fora. Slovenia hopes that the HSN will undertake a pro-active approach to further understanding of the R2P.

Understanding of Human Security

Slovenia understands human security to encompass both freedom from fear as well as freedom from want. Human security should thus entail the search for shared understanding of threats and challenges posed to the security of people. In this regard Slovenia will follow and participate in further developments, including within the activities of the Group of Friends.

Slovenia will further try to ensure briefings (through its Mission in New York) on relevant ongoing activities pertaining to human security, such as the OCHA Human Security Unit.

Human Rights Council

Slovenia welcomes the establishment of the Human Rights Council representing a historical step in strengthening UN mechanisms in the field of human rights. Slovenia commits itself to the ongoing work that must be done to ensure the strength and effectiveness of the Council. It is our common responsibility to achieve these goals. Therefore we will strive to open a discussion on the role and possible initiatives of the HSN within the Council. Slovenia suggests that the HSN present a joint statement at the Council’s first session to begin on 19 June 2006 in Geneva (in addition to national statements by member states).

On this occasion, a special meeting could be organised for HSN member states where the role of the HSN in the Council could be further discussed and the research base index on human rights (Swiss project) could be presented.

Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue through human rights education and learning

Slovenia believes that the promotion of human rights and education of the young should enhance the understanding of diversity of human societies, including ethnic, cultural, religious and national minority aspects, as well as equality, including gender equality. Intercultural and interreligious respect should be promoted as well. Both the Summit Outcome Document (Para. 131) and the UN General Assembly Resolution on the new Human Rights Council (A/RES/60/251) emphasise human rights education and learning. The international agenda should move from norms-setting towards the operationalisation of human rights. The importance of human rights education is central for attaining both social cohesion and development, which are an integral part of the Millennium Development Goals. 

Slovenia would invite HSN partners to contribute, on the basis of their experience, to human rights education projects and to share their experience with other partners. The objective is to raise the awareness of human rights and freedoms on a large scale and thus contribute to the promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue. In this way we could express our support and offer the contribution of the HSN to several important ongoing initiatives, such as the Alliance of Civilizations, the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation and UNESCO´s study on human rights education.

Violence against children/Children affected in armed conflicts 

Slovenia will advocate the HSN’s support to the preparation of the UN study on violence against children, to be presented by the UN Secretary-General at the 61st session of the UN General Assembly this autumn. Slovenia advocates a joint HSN initiative for a UN General Assembly or Human Rights Council resolution on combating violence against children.

Slovenia has accepted the proposal of Paul Sergio Pinheiro, an independent expert of the UN Secretary-General for the preparation of the study on violence against children, to organise a regional presentation of the study. The presentation will be held within the International Conference on the Prevention of Violence against Children. It will be organised in cooperation with the Foundation “TOGETHER” which has been established with the aim to protect and improve the psychosocial well-being of children in post-conflict societies. The Foundation “TOGETHER” will focus on the aspect of children affected in armed conflicts and invite its partner organisations from the Balkans, Iraq, the North Caucasus, Europe, the USA, as well as representatives from the Council of Europe and different NGOs. The aim of the conference is to start a campaign for the promotion of the study within the UN. The conference would take place at the end of 2006. At the same time Slovenia proposes to organise a meeting of HSN Senior Officials at the same time to prepare a possible joint HSN activity in support of the Secretary-General’s proposal for UN activities regarding violence against children and thus prepare for the Ministerial Meeting to be held in Ljubljana in May 2007.

HSN members could also consider joint appearance at the UN Security Council session and/or at the meeting of the UN General Assembly Third Committee in autumn 2006, when the issue of children in armed conflicts is to be dealt with. The HSN could explore the possibility of engaging the UN/OCHA, focusing on HSN support to the monitoring mechanism that is being developed by the OCHA as part of an action plan (Canada’s suggestion).

Mine Action

Slovenia believes that the HSN should remain strongly engaged in supporting the Mine Action and will continue HSN activities in this field, including survivor and victim assistance, mine risk education, advocacy, and universalisation. Slovenia is actively participating in the Ottawa process, especially though the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance. The ITF has become an example of good regional cooperation in South-East Europe. Our goal as well as the goal of other countries of this region and the international community is a "mine impact free status" region by the end of 2009. At the meeting of State Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty to be held in Geneva from 18 to 22 September 2006, Slovenia proposes a joint engagement of countries in the field of demining in the form of a joint statement of HSN members and its presentation during the introductory plenary debate.

SALW

The UN Review Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects to be held in New York from 26 June to 2 July 2006 should result in a more effective fight against illicit trade in SALW and thus contribute to the reduction of armed violence and the improvement of human security. Slovenia will put forward a HSN statement (in preparation - Canada will prepare a draft) which addresses the issues of human security. This statement will in particular stress the importance of addressing the negative humanitarian and development impact of illicit SALW, in line with both the 1st Committee Resolution 60/68 adopted by the General Assembly on 6 January 2006 and the Geneva Declaration to be adopted at the Geneva Summit on Armed Violence and Development to be held on 7 June 2006.

Women, peace and security

Slovenia also intends to continue activities in the field of equal participation of genders in peace operations in compliance with the Security Council Resolution No. 1325 (2000) and the provisions of the Beijing Declaration (1995) as well as the 2000 Plan of Action. We propose that a greater role of women be underlined on behalf of the HSN within the newly established Peacebuilding Commission.

HIV/AIDS

Slovenia will further promote Thailand’s efforts in the field of the fight against HIV/AIDS and will, together with other HSN members, continue to encourage the international community to channel more efforts to the fight against this deadly disease. Within the international conference on AIDS to be held in Toronto from 13 to 18 August 2006, the HSN members could particularly underline the aspect of human rights in the fight against HIV/AIDS as the victims are often discriminated, stigmatized and isolated due to social prejudice. In compliance with the HSN Workplan, particular attention could be devoted to the rights of women, refugees and displaced HIV/AIDS-infected persons as well as AIDS orphans.   

Trafficking in Human Beings

Slovenia will promote the need to strengthen the fight against trafficking in human beings, especially sexual exploitation of children and women as it poses another crucial challenge to human security. Slovenia will further promote a victim-centered approach to combat trafficking in human beings, while at the same time preserve the aspects of organised crime, criminality and corruption within the comprehensive human security concept.

In this regard Slovenia would like to emphasise the importance of the UN Global Programme against Trafficking in Human Beings (GPAT). The cornerstone should be in the ratification and implementation of the Supplementary Protocol to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.

Poverty and people-centred development

Slovenia will continue to endeavour, within the HSN, to carry out activities with a view to reducing poverty and malnutrition, and promote global prosperity for all, which is also one of the UN Millennium Development Goals. Slovenia proposes that the HSN present a joint statement on poverty and people-centred development within the UN High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development to be held in New York on 14 and 15 September 2006.

In this regard Slovenia will support the Swiss initiative to elaborate a HSN option paper on "The role of private sector in supporting human security". The paper should show how human security and business can be operationalised in the framework of the HSN. 

TIMETABLE OF HSN MEETINGS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

• Meeting of HSN national coordinators in New York (late August 2006) - briefing on Human Security Unit activities;

• 1st HSN Senior Officials Meeting in New York (September 2006) - preparation for the Ministerial Working Lunch;

• Ministerial Working Lunch in New York (61st  session of the UN General Assembly, September  2006)

- Adoption of the Plan of Action for the Slovenian chairmanship of the HSN (June 2006–May 2007);

- HSN contribution to the Alliance of Civilizations (tentative)

• 2nd HSN Senior Officials Meeting in Ljubljana (Nov/Dec 2006) - International Conference on the Prevention of Violence against Children:

- Presentation of the Study on Violence against Children and formulation of proposals for related HSN activities in the UN;

- Preparation of the May 2007 Ministerial Meeting;

• Meeting of "Human Security Group of Friends" in New York at the level of national coordinators in cooperation with Japan and Mexico;

• 3rd HSN Senior Officials Meeting in Ljubljana (May 2007) - preparation for the Ministerial Meeting:

- Exchange of views, preparation of the HSN draft conclusions on progress made and future activities of the Network;

• Ministerial Meeting in Ljubljana (May 2007)

- The Ministerial Meeting will be focused on a single, pertinent human security subject of relevance to the ministers. An invitation could be issued to ministers from other countries to participate in the meeting which could gather a like-minded group of countries committed to placing special emphasis on a particular human security issue in the international fora;

- Slovenia supports the suggestion that the outcome of the meeting should not be a pre-negotiated text, but should rather emerge on the basis of actual discussions of the ministers.

• Possible "ad hoc" meetings of the coordinators in New York and Geneva

IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS DURING SLOVENIA’S CHAIRMANSHIP

EVENT - LOCATION - TIME

• First Session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva, 19 June 2006
  
• UN Review Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, New York, 26 June–2 July 2006

• International Conference on AIDS,  Toronto,  13–18 August 2006

• 61st  Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, September 2006

• UN High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development, New York,  14–15 September 2006
  
• Meeting of State Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva,  18–22 September 2006

• International Conference on the Prevention of Violence against Children, Ljubljana, Nov/Dec 2006