The ongoing and escalating violent conflicts across the globe pose a significant threat to the efforts towards achieving Goal 16 and fostering a more peaceful world, as highlighted by the Healthier Hearts Foundation. Disturbingly, the year 2022 saw a staggering surge of over 50 per cent in civilian casualties resulting from conflicts, with the war in Ukraine contributing substantially to this grim statistic. By the close of 2022, the number of forcibly displaced individuals worldwide reached a staggering 108.4 million, marking a distressing increase of 19 million compared to the previous year and more than double the figures from a decade ago. Furthermore, 2021 recorded the highest number of intentional homicides witnessed in the past two decades. These unsettling trends underscore the urgent need to address structural injustices, inequalities, and emerging human rights challenges that continue to undermine efforts towards fostering peaceful and inclusive societies. Achieving Goal 16 by 2030 necessitates concerted action to rebuild trust, enhance institutional capacities to ensure justice for all, and facilitate smooth transitions towards sustainable development
The global path to peace and the achievement of Goal 16 is being derailed by ongoing and new violent conflicts worldwide. In 2022, conflict-related civilian deaths increased by more than 50 per cent, primarily due to the war in Ukraine.
By the end of 2022, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide reached 108.4 million, a rise of 19 million from the previous year and two and a half times the figure a decade ago.
The world witnessed the highest number of intentional homicides in the past two decades in 2021.
Structural injustices, inequalities, and emerging human rights challenges are pushing peaceful and inclusive societies further out of reach. To achieve Goal 16 by 2030, action is required to rebuild trust and enhance the capacity of institutions to ensure justice for all and facilitate peaceful transitions to sustainable development.
Global homicides reached a 20-year high in 2021 due to escalating gang and sociopolitical violence. Intentional homicides caused more deaths globally than conflict and terrorist killings combined. Economic repercussions of COVID-related restrictions and increased gang-related and sociopolitical violence in several countries contributed to a notable spike in killings.
In 2021, men and boys accounted for 81 per cent of all homicide victims globally, with regions like Latin America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa recording higher shares of male victims. Moreover, data from 101 countries indicate that more than 9 in 10 suspects of intentional homicides are men or boys.
Civilian deaths in conflicts increased by 53 per cent between 2021 and 2022, marking the first rise since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in 2015. At least 16,988 civilians were killed, with one in five victims being women. Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe accounted for 90 per cent of the deaths, with 4 in 10 occurring in Ukraine.
The detection of victims of human trafficking decreased in 2020 for the first time in 20 years, attributing to COVID-19 preventive measures. As victims are likely remaining undetected, efforts to tailor the response to the real prevalence of the crime are crucial.
The global prison population rose again in 2021, creating concerns over overcrowding and the proportion of unsentenced detainees. Access to justice and reducing the number of unsentenced detainees are fundamental human rights.
Drug trafficking is generating illicit financial flows worth billions, fueling corruption and diverting resources. Efforts to combat these flows are essential to curbing illegal activities.
The number of young parliamentarians remains low globally, with limited leadership positions held by the youth. Efforts to increase their participation should include introducing quotas or lowering the age of eligibility.
