Human rights violations can be framed as security threats when political actors show that abuses endanger individuals, weaken states, or create cross-border instability. In IB Global Politics, this belongs to the Security topic area of the HL extension and connects to power, legitimacy and interdependence.
How the framing works
A security frame presents an issue as an urgent threat to a referent object, meaning the entity being protected. This may be an individual, state, social group or the international community.
Through securitization, an actor such as a government, the United Nations or civil society organization describes violations as an existential threat. If a relevant audience accepts that claim, exceptional responses such as sanctions, peacekeeping or humanitarian intervention may gain legitimacy.
| Security frame | Mechanism and example |
|---|---|
| Human security | Abuses directly threaten survival and dignity. During Myanmar's 2017 campaign, more than 700,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh after killings, sexual violence and village destruction. |
| National security | Repression can weaken legitimacy, intensify grievances and encourage resistance. Syrian state repression of protests in 2011 contributed to prolonged armed conflict. |
| Regional or international security | Violations can cause refugee movements and cross-border tensions. Syria's conflict displaced millions into Türkiye, Lebanon and Jordan, demonstrating regional interdependence. |
Framing is contested because governments may present external criticism as interference in sovereignty, while rights organizations argue that sovereignty does not remove responsibility for protecting populations. A security frame can mobilize resources and coordinated action, but it can also justify militarized or exceptional policies that produce further violations.
Exam technique
For exams, avoid the misconception that every violation automatically becomes a security threat. Explain who constructs the threat, which referent object is endangered, whether the audience accepts the claim and what consequences follow. In HL Paper 3, connect Security to another topic area, such as Identity or Borders, using a specific contemporary case.
