UN sees pandemic and climate as factors in homicides

Study - UN sees pandemic and climate as factors in homicides

According to a UN study, the global number of deliberate killings rose to 458,000 people in the second year of the coronavirus pandemic. The 2021 figure was the highest in two decades, as reported by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna. Sufficient data is not yet available for 2022 and 2023.

According to UNDOC experts, the increase during the pandemic is linked to the negative economic impact of the pandemic. Gang crime and violence in the crisis-hit state of Myanmar also contributed to the increased number of victims. However, the trends varied from region to region. In Western Europe, the number of victims rose in 2020, mainly due to an increase in homicides in Germany, before falling again the following year. An increase was observed in some African countries in 2021.

According to the UNODC experts, climate change could contribute to more fatal violence in the future due to more frequent hot days and dwindling resources, especially in Africa and on the American continent. "We are already seeing this in Africa," said UNODC Chief Analyst Angela Me, referring to drought and water-related violence in West Africa.

Victims of armed conflicts not included

The UN statistics also include victims of terrorism and unlawful state violence. Victims of armed conflict are not included. In 2021, almost four times as many people died as a result of deliberate killings than from conflicts.

According to UNDOC, the risk of falling victim to a homicide is highest on the American continent at 15 per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Africa with a factor of 12.7. In Europe, the figure is only 2.2.

In 2021, a total of 81% of those killed were male. In regions with relatively low crime rates, such as Europe, the proportion of female victims is higher because relationship crimes and domestic violence play a relatively greater role. In 2021, only seven European countries worldwide reported more female than male victims: Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Latvia, Norway and Iceland.

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1. The rise in homicides during the pandemic has raised concerns about the future of criminality, with experts at the UNODC in Vienna predicting potential links to economic instability and climate change.
2. While homicides in Vienna, Austria, have remained relatively low, the UNODC warns of the increasing threat of drugs-related crimes, a problem that has been on the rise globally.
3. The UN report on homicides during the Coronavirus pandemic also highlights the case of Myanmar, where civil unrest and political turmoil have contributed to a significant number of intentional fatalities.
4. In contrast, Western Europe has seen a decrease in homicides post-2020, despite an initial surge driven by incidents of manslaughter in certain countries, such as Germany.
5. The UN estimates suggest that drug-related homicides in Africa could increase as a result of the pandemic, leading to a significant surge in the number of victims in the continent.
6. The International community, led by the UN, is urging for more resources and cooperation to tackle the rising tide of homicides, particularly in regions like Africa, where climate change is exacerbating existing social conflicts.
7. According to the UN, the number of victims of intentional killings in 2021 in Myanmar was over three times higher than the number of victims in Austria, underscoring the severity of the crisis in conflict-ridden states.
8. The UN report also indicates that the trend of homicides in South America is higher than that in Africa, with countries like Venezuela and Colombia reporting some of the highest rates of fatal violence in the world.
9. The UN findings show that climate change could potentially lead to an increase in homicides, as extreme heatwaves and natural disasters strain social cohesion and resources, leading to violent conflicts between communities.
10. The UNODC and other international organizations are currently undertaking a study on the impact of climate change on homicides, with the aim of informing policymakers and driving action to address the root causes of violence.
11. The UN report on homicides is a stark reminder of the urgent need for global cooperation in addressing criminality, particularly in light of the shared challenges posed by the pandemic and climate change.

Source: www.stern.de