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Human security is an essential component in relation to understanding global vulnerabilities. It is a citizen-based outlook of security issues, which is extremely important for the stability of a country and the world at large. For two decades, arms of all sizes and capacities have caused human atrocities and abuse. On 2nd April 2013, the United Nations agreed to adopt a global arms trade treaty to stop illegal arms trade across the globe (Williams & Viotti, 2012, p. 45). Human security is no longer a personal issue because of its recent complexities. Therefore, the state is responsible for conventional arms control and safeguarding human rights.
Since 2004, Canadians have participated in federal elections thrice. Throughout this period, the minority system of the government has prevailed, but failed to address pertinent issues, prompting the desire for the former majority government system (Reveron & Mahoney-Norris, 2011, p. 75).
This is partly the reason why many Canadians are reluctant to participate in federal elections leading to the current decline in voter turnout. Comparing the 1997 and 2008 elections, the voter turnout in the former was at 67%, while the latter was only 58%. Democracy dictates that citizens of a sovereign country, such as Canada, should participate in making important decisions that outline the rules and regulations of their country. Therefore, the decline in the voter turnout in federal elections in Canada has raised a red flag over the state of human security in the country.
Both natural and legislative laws ascertain that human security is essential for the stability of a society. Various armaments are employed in carrying out murders, tormenting others, aggravating warfare, and committing human rights violations. There seems to be an endless supply of weapons to cause unlawful violence in Canada and across the world (Garcia, 2011, p. 87). Civil war is a common phenomenon throughout the history of civilization. Legalizing arms for personal use is a complex issue that continues to elicit mixed reactions among security policy-makers.
Africa and the Middle East are home to millions of people who have been injured, raped, and forced to flee to refugee camps. The UNHCR barely manages to meet the basic needs of refugees spread across the globe (MacFarlane & Khong, 2006, p. 198). From the 1990s to date, countries have been urged by Amnesty International to stop the circulation of legal arms, which have the potential of causing human rights violations. Novel technology in weaponry, which is intended for the army and the law enforcement, has also significantly contributed to such violations.
Although the global arms trade treaty was enacted, numerous nations are yet to enforce it. The main reason lies in the conflict of concerns between industry profits, national security, and human security. The majority of the parties involved in controlling the proliferation of arms prioritize industry profits and national security. Human security is an issue that is rarely discussed by the parties involved in the trade. The human cost caused by poorly regulated arms trade is projected to triple by the year 2050. The treaty may not stop the proliferation of weapons, but it limits the scope of legal trade. Most importantly, it prioritizes human security over industry profits and national security.
Discussions between major human security stakeholders appear to seek a new treaty that controls the transfer of the seven major categories of conventional guns. These categories are namely battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, large-caliber artillery systems, combat aircrafts, attack helicopters, warships, missiles, and missile launchers (Ankersen, 2007, p. 22). Furthermore, the pact controls the flow of small arms and light weapons across the globe. Although the arms trade treaty is an entity of an autonomous security body, the inclusion of ammunition remains a complex issue to tackle. Apparently, many states do not view ammunition as a direct threat to human security.
Goucha and Crowley (2009) assert that the failure to control the proliferation of ammunitions is the cause of intrastate conflicts in Africa (p. 70). A total of nine African countries have experienced humanitarian disasters since the early 1990s. Furthermore, the inclusion of hunting, sporting, and antique weapons is a provision still under debate because many UN member countries are opposed to the idea. This is besides the fact that most small arms used in sports and hunting activities are originally developed for military use.
Corrupt security officials, who are put in charge of the borders, also perpetuate the proliferation of arms in their countries. The consequences of the uncontrolled transfer of conventional weapons provides an opportunity for non-state groups to acquire better weapons, as well as facilitate criminal activity in the society, including robbery, rape, and murder. It is essential to initiate successful disarmament processes in countries where wars have ended to prevent the re-occurrence of conflicts.
Many third world countries face a lot of difficulty in demobilizing the population after a civil upheaval has occurred. The international community, through the United Nations Security Council, provides assistance to war-torn nations through reintegration programs. Security is essential for the growth of the global economy. It is the responsibility of every nation to protect the lives and the rights of its citizens. It is a shame that the perpetrators of human rights violations are known, yet little or no action has been taken to bring them to justice.
Furthermore, the unequal distribution of national resources causes tension between the government and civil activists. Conflicts in most African countries are caused by the fight for the limited natural resources they have (Dolgopol & Gardam, 2006, p. 609). Political leaders have a role to play in controlling the flow of illegal arms across borders. Some politicians mastermind horrific humanitarian disasters to serve their personal interests. For example, a political leader may obtain a loan from an international bank and offer his country’s natural resources as collateral. The electorate is unaware of the terms and conditions until the political leader embezzles the funds for public use. The bank is obliged by law to liquidate the collateral provided to regain its investment. In most cases, the bank sells the natural resources to a private commercial entity with the objective of earning an extra coin from it. This normally causes conflict between the local residents and the commercial entity.
Human Security and Arms Control in Canada
Axworthy introduced the concept of human security when he became the leitmotif of the country’s foreign policy in 1994. He conceptualized human security as the referent object that should be protected should it shift from the state to the individual. The state should provide protection to both male and female citizens of all ages and race. The Canadian populace should be given an opportunity to live without fear; however, the government has been accused of narrowing the span of human security due to its failure to avail adequate resources to cover a broader agenda. It presented the notion of human security as a rational extension of the foreign policy.
The objective was to strengthen national security, in addition to minimizing the related domestic dangers. Invoking the term security in the political realm ascertains the possibility of a conceived threat that should be reduced or eradicated. Brown (2004) asserts that conflict and instability in Canada are caused by the availability of arms from the United States. The United States allows civilians to apply for a license to own a firearm. However, several criminal gangs use this affirmation by the government to deal in illegal arms.
The security issues in the United States affect the human security policies in Canada. The country insists that the success of the war against the criminal control and circulation of armaments is heavily dependent on international cooperation. Canada is at the forefront campaigning for cooperation between stakeholders in the creation of an effective arms trade treaty. Canada supports arms control programs and disarmament for individuals and a stop to the bad administrative regime across the globe.
Currently, Canada is pursuing an array of weapon regulation and disarmament programs through numerous polygonal structures. In this regard, the country works with a number of multinational and global organizations, which are concerned with combating the illegal manufacture, control, and circulation of weapons. It is also a member of the G8 and provides relevant intelligence within the UN system on issues relating to non-proliferation, arms control, and disarmament.
Non-Proliferation of Arms
Canada is committed to ensuring that illegal arms trade does not become a threat to its citizens, as well as its bordering international communities. Furthermore, Canada strongly supports the indefinite extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its implementation by all its signatories (Levitt, 1993, p. 59). The treaty prevents non-nuclear states from manufacturing, processing, or acquiring nuclear materials that may be used to cause human rights abuses. Moreover, the treaty allows five nuclear weapons states to progressively disarm and eliminate nuclear stockpiles across the globe.
Canada is also calling on the UN Security Council to prohibit any forms of nuclear weapon test explosions. In essence, the test-ban treaty is gaining support from non-nuclear signatories; Canada was among its pioneer members. The country is opposed to any efforts aimed at derailing the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction. The nation is an active member of the Chemical Weapons Convention that consolidates multilateral efforts aimed at prohibiting the proliferation of biological and chemical weapons. Canada cooperates with other countries to prevent the illegal transfer of chemical, nuclear, and biological weapons through the Proliferation Security Initiative (Levitt, 1993).
Canada played a key role in the conceptualization of the 1997 Ottawa mine ban treaty. The country is opposed to the accumulation and distribution of small arms and landmines to illegal entities. The country’s authorities have always honored and abided by the treaty. The treaty dictates the situations and conditions under which armaments should be circulated and provides an appropriate structure for their implementation.
Canadian Weaponry Control
This is the process of restricting access to weaponry by authorized persons and lawbreakers. Canada is a party to the UN arms trade treaty, which provides guidelines on how to control the use of weapons. Illegal trade in light arsenal and small weapons has had a catastrophic impact globally. Cukier and Sidel (2006) estimate that there are over 600 million light weapons and small arms in circulation across the world today (p. 220). The unlawful circulation of armaments results in 0.35 million fatalities annually, gravely undermining human security.
A comprehensive approach to weaponry control requires taking into account the interests of all the parties who deal in armaments. The provision of security is a complex issue that requires an implicit consideration of all aspects that comprise arms control actions. Understanding the source of the weapons is a prerequisite to preventing the movement of traditional artillery across the globe. Criminal and terrorist organizations acquire weapons to instill fear in their enemies and sometimes cause bodily harm. Placing potent weapons in the hands of irresponsible individuals poses a serious threat to Canada and the broader international community.
Furthermore, it is essential to note that some criminal organizations obtain weapons from corrupt government officials. Security staff in Canada is provided with weapons to protect the citizens from internal and external threats. However, some officials have gang affiliations and often hire out their weapons to commit crimes. The differences between states with regard to arms control continue to frustrate efforts to develop a universal oversight body to regulate their proliferation. For example, the conflict between Israel and Palestine is hard to settle because each side claims ownership in relation to Gaza.
Religious differences and civil appraisal promote the proliferation of weapons as well. Larsen and Smith (2005) assert that existing political ties prevent the development of an international arms control initiative. The Americans have reservations when working with the Chinese because of underlying political differences. It is hard to merge capitalist and communist ideologies to develop a unilateral approach to arms control.
Manufacturing and supplying illegal weapons is a lucrative business; consequently, it is not easy to eradicate the trade. Drug trafficking plays a key role in the proliferation of illegal arms across the globe. Drug traffickers obtain weapons and ammunitions to protect their businesses. Drugs and weapons provide employment to millions of people across the globe, but at the same time cause pain and suffering to an equal number of persons. The international community is struggling to find a solution to this menace. The global security status is causing several countries to begin accumulating weapons because of the fear that world war three may occur sooner than expected. The tension experienced between warring nations, is the perfect recipe for the proliferation of illegal weapons.
Comparison with the United States
Even though the United States spends more money on its human security system than Canada, they both use a per-capita basis to evaluate the efficiency of the systems (Richter, 2011, p. 45). When a survey was carried out by UN security experts, they found out that while Canada spent 10% of its GDP on human security, the United States spent approximately 15.3% of its total GDP on the issue.
The funding of the human security system in Canada is financed by a combination of public and private funding, with most end services being delivered by the private sector. The United States has a higher per capita than Canada, through all entities in its public and private sector. Although the United States has this benefit, it is the only wealthy country in the entire world that lacks a proper universal human security system.
Disarmament
Disarmament is joined at the hip to non-proliferation and arms control policies. Canada supports the idea of disarming entities that may pose a threat to the human security of its citizens and the international community. Securing the country’s borders requires Canada to disarm non-state actors that may use illegal weapons to cause violence. The Canadian police intelligence unit keeps track of the source of weapons recovered from illegal entities within the country. This helps to expose the proliferation trends as soon as they emerge; consequently, this makes it easy to come up with a solution to the problem.
Preventing the proliferation of arms is easier than engaging illegal entities in the disarmament process. The constitution ascertains liberties that affect the process of disarmament. The Canadian constitution prohibits security officials from conducting searches or seizing property without a warrant to back their actions (Larsen & Smith, 2005, p. 102). Furthermore, criminal entities are aware of this constitutional provision and often invoke it to avoid scrutiny by security officials.
Nonetheless, the Canadian government is determined to prevent the proliferation of arms through its borders. Human security is of higher priority than the national security. External threats weaken bilateral relations, while internal threats cause instability within a state. Security threats should be minimized or eradicated once conclusive information has been obtained. There exists a very thin line between human rights infringement and security protocol. Disarmament is a process that should be taken seriously by security agencies in Canada to secure their homeland from any internal and external threats. Embracing change is hard, but ignorance may inflict even more damage. Understanding the source of the threat provides a baseline to develop appropriate solutions.
Migration
Migration is a key factor to consider when assessing human security. It is not possible to identify criminals by merely assessing their physical appearance. However, it is possible to control what they bring into the country. Visitors come to the nation for leisure and business activities. Canada is no doubt a lovely country that arouses the desires of many to across the globe. However, the movement of property and individuals in and out of Canada presents a major challenge to arms control (Brown, 2004, p. 196). The United States is the main culprit in relation to the influx of illicit armaments into Canada. This requires the border patrol staff to be vigilant in securing the country.
In addition, other individuals arrive in Canada seeking asylum from civil conflicts in the Middle East and Africa. A few individuals believe that it is possible to sneak weapons into Canada. This phenomenon has led to the arrest of several foreigners trying to help criminals bring illegal weapons into the country. Canadian airports are equipped with the latest security mechanisms to check for illegal weapons. This initiative has helped to reduce the transfer of conventional and non-conventional weapons through the country’s borders. The government is determined to enhance human security through the provision of advanced security measures at border points to control the flow of weapons.
Migration presents new security challenges that must be dealt with accordingly. Expatriates are essential in improving the quality of the labor force in Canada. However, some may have other objectives other than seeking employment in the country. It is the role of the immigration department to monitor the activities of expatriates residing in Canada. This is the only way to ensure that the visitors do not engage in activities that may cause violence or human rights abuses.
Terrorists and criminal entities travel across the world as normal visitors. Usually, they blend in with the home population to avoid being scrutinized and monitored by the security agencies. For example, the 911 terrorist attacks were carried out by jihadists who had settled in the United States years before the eventful day. Gathering intelligence regarding migration patterns and trends may help to monitor the entry of radical agents, which may cause instability after settling down in Canada.
Hundreds of cases have been reported about visitors trying to sneak weapons through airport security checks. This shows the determination of the perpetrators in their quest to transfer weapons across state borders (Levitt, 1993, p. 109). The demand for illegal weapons by non-state actors within Canada is bound to attract distributors from different parts of the world. It is the responsibility of the security staff to limit the flow of weapons into Canada. The country’s participation in several arms treaties provides opportunities to gather intelligence that may be essential in defending its homeland. Furthermore, security officials require training to improve their knowhow and efficiency in performing their duties.
Conclusion
In summary, human security is a global concern because the transfer of law enforcement and martial artillery may cause severe human rights violations globally. Millions of illegitimate armaments are currently in the hands of the citizens. Furthermore, the intention of the owners may either be good or bad. Human security is no longer a personal issue because of its recent complexities. It is the responsibility of the state to protect its citizens from perceived internal or external threats. The Canadian government is accused of narrowing the scope of human security due to the lack of resources to cover a broader agenda. Canada’s annual spending on security has tripled since the early 1990s.
Illegal arms trade is a practice that has been in existence for many years. The human civilization is marked by conflicts between opposing parties that eventually engage in battles. The provision of security is a complex issue that requires implicit consideration of all aspects that comprise arms control. The United Nations provides guidelines and assistance to member states on how to avert the unlawful circulation of light armaments.
Differences between states in relation to arms control continue to frustrate efforts to develop a universal oversight body. Human security affects the political, fiscal, and social aspects of the society. Every citizen requires freedom from fear to achieve their goals. Corruption is a challenge that continues to facilitate the flow of arms across the globe. Political leaders have a role to play in controlling the flow of illegal arms across borders. Protecting the electorate is the responsibility of the state notwithstanding its government structure. Most parties involved in controlling the proliferation of weaponry prioritize business proceeds and national security.
Canada is performing well in its fight against illegal weapons, but more needs to be done to eradicate the vice from the country completely. Civil wars will continue to occur as long as the international community does not coordinate in an effort to prevent the transfer of conventional and non-conventional weapons to entities that may use them to cause serious human rights abuses. In this regard, to realize an effective human security across the globe, each country should be determined to control the flow of arms and weapons across its borders.
References
Ankersen, C. (2007). Civil-military cooperation in post-conflict operations: Emerging theory and practice. New York, NY: Routledge. Web.
Brown, M. E. (2004). New global dangers: Changing dimensions of international security. Michigan, ID: MIT Press. Web.
Cukier, W., & Sidel, V. W. (2006). The global gun epidemic: From Saturday night specials to AK-47s. Westport, CT: Praeger Security International. Web.
Dolgopol, U., & Gardam, J. G. (2006). The challenge of conflict: International law responds. Leiden, CA: Nijhoff. Web.
Garcia, D. (2011). Disarmament diplomacy and human security: Regimes, norms and moral progress in international relations. New York, NY: Routledge. Web.
Goucha, M., & Crowley, J. (2009). Rethinking human security. London, UK: John Wiley & Sons. Web.
Larsen, J. A., & Smith, J. M. (2005). Historical dictionary of arms control and disarmament. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. Web.
Levitt, J. (1993). Pearson and Canada’s role in nuclear disarmament and arms control negotiations, 1945-1957. New Jersey, NJ: McGill-Queen’s University Press. Web.
MacFarlane, S. N., & Khong, Y. F. (2006). Human security and the UN: A critical history. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press. Web.
Reveron, D. S., & Mahoney-Norris, K. A. (2011). Human Security in a borderless world. New York, NY: Westview Press. Web.
Richter, A. (2011). Avoiding armageddon: Canadian military strategy and nuclear weapons, 1950-1963. New York, NY: UBC Press. Web.
Williams, R. E., & Viotti, P. R. (2012). Arms control: History, theory, and policy. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger Security International. Web.
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