Human Security and the Responsibility of the Occupying Power to Ensure It The U.S. Occupation of Iraq as a Model

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines the impact of the U.S. occupation of Iraq after 2003 as a compelling case of human security violations. It links the modern concept of human security to the established rules of international humanitarian law and human rights law, outlining the legal obligations of an occupying power under the Hague and Geneva Conventions. The analysis demonstrates that the occupation’s policies—particularly the dismantling of state institutions and the resulting security vacuum—led to a profound deterioration of personal, economic, social, political, and community security, and contributed to societal fragmentation and the rise of extremist groups. The study concludes that the United States continues to bear legal responsibility for these harms and emphasizes the need for effective mechanisms of reparations, transitional justice, and the reinforcement of human security in national policies.