Securing the Rights: A Human Security Perspective in the Context of Arctic Indigenous Peoples

Abstract

In today’s world the state-centric approach of security has been extended to include a human-centric approach. Since individuals are the ultimate victims of any security threats, a state is not secure if insecure inhabitants reside within it. The insecurity of individuals arises from various sources of threats, such as from “fear” as well as from “want”. While often the concept is confused with that of human rights, the concept of human security embraces policy choices in order for the better implementation of human rights. In a sense therefore, it complements both the concepts of traditional security and human rights. This article addresses the concept in the context of the Arctic and its people, particularly in the context of its indigenous peoples. Obviously, because of differing meanings of the concept, the human security threats of the Arctic cannot be seen as similar to those of the other regions of the global south. This article nevertheless explores various human security concerns faced by the Arctic indigenous communities. In addressing the concept of human security in the context of the Arctic, the article affirms the normative development occurred relatively recently in the human rights regime – which today includes a set of group rights called third generation human rights. These broadly include among others; the right to environment and the right to development. The presence of these categories of rights are therefore argued to ensure human security for which in the Arctic perspective a right to self-determination plays a pivotal role, particularly for its indigenous communities.