What does the “obligation to ensure” framework involve?

The “obligation to ensure” framework is an essential principle in international human rights law, which mandates that states not only respect human rights but also take active steps to secure and protect those rights. This framework involves the state's responsibility to prevent human rights violations, conduct thorough investigations into any alleged abuses, and ensure accountability for perpetrators.

In this context, the state is required to implement rules and policies that protect individuals from human rights infringements, and must be proactive in identifying and addressing risks to these rights. By emphasizing prevention and investigation, this framework seeks to create a systematic approach to upholding human rights standards, rather than merely reacting to violations after they occur.

The other options do not encompass the comprehensive nature of the obligation to ensure. For example, limiting responsibility to direct actions would neglect the necessary preventive measures and accountability processes. Focusing solely on economic growth overlooks the fundamental human rights aspects that the framework is designed to protect, while strictly humanitarian assistance does not address the systemic efforts required for prevention and investigation of human rights abuses. Therefore, the correct understanding of the "obligation to ensure" framework lies in recognizing its broader scope concerning state responsibility for prevention and investigation.