UN report shows dramatic increase in killed civilians

It is the highest proportion of conflict-related killings of civilians recorded since the 2030 agenda on the UN’s sustainable development goals was adopted.

In the whole of last year, 33,400 conflict-related killings of civilians were registered, according to the UN report published on Wednesday evening.

Seven out of ten are said to have been killed in Palestine and Israel, but the figures also include armed conflicts in Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen.

Of those killed, 31 percent are children and 36 percent are women, which is also a dramatic increase from 2022.

In addition, a quarter of the world’s population still lives in conflict areas, and many governments face major challenges in protecting the right to a life free from fear and violence, writes the UN in a press release.

– Far too many people around the world experience daily insecurity, injustice and violence. Behind these gloomy statistics lie strong human stories of lost dreams and potential, suffering and despair, says head Achim Steiner of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Worrying increase

The report is a progress report on sustainability goal number 16: Peace, justice and inclusive institutions.

The report is 93 pages long and has been produced by UNDP, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in collaboration with six other entities.

The report shows that several worrying trends are taking place worldwide.

– This new report shows that we must take active steps now to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies, without anyone being left out, says UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.

Increase in murder and violence

Murders of journalists, human rights defenders and trade union leaders doubled from 2022 to 2023. More journalists were also killed in conflict-prone countries in 2023 compared to the previous year. 65 percent of journalists and media workers killed last year were killed in connection with the ongoing Gaza war that broke out on 7 October.

The total number of female homicide victims in 2022 was 88,000, the highest annual number recorded in 20 years. Almost half of these were killed by their partners or family members.

The report also shows that nearly eight out of ten children under the age of 14 are exposed to violent discipline at home, and that more than a third of human trafficking victims are children.

Violent crime is also increasing, and organized crime poses a major threat to peace and development.

Still problems with equality

Discrimination and lack of equality is also a widespread problem globally.

Women are significantly underrepresented in public service positions in low-income countries, and one in six people experience discrimination.