HOMICIDE REPORT 2023 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Reports and Indices)

Context: Recently, the 4th edition of Global Study on Homicide Report was released.

Global Study on Homicide Report 2023

• About: It emphasizes regional and sub-regional patterns, demographics, age, and gender characteristics of victims, taking into account the effects of major trends such as climate change and even the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Published by: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
• Objective: To reveal into the facts behind the violence, to try and identify notable trends and to inform policies and solutions.
• 3 Categories: Criminal activities, interpersonal homicides, and socio-politically motivated homicides.

Key Findings of the Report

• Escalation in Violence: The rise in violence is attributed to conflicts arising from issues such as water access disputes, exacerbated by challenges associated with population growth, economic expansion, and the impacts of climate change.
• Alarming Global Homicide Statistics: The year 2021 witnessed an exceptionally deadly trend, with an estimated 458,000 intentional homicides worldwide, equating to an average of 52 killings every hour.
• India's Homicide Trends: In the period from 2019 to 2021, 16.8% of all murders in India were linked to disputes over natural resources or property, highlighting that approximately every sixth murder falls into this category.
• Water-Related Conflicts in India: Within the same timeframe, about 0.5% of these murders (300 incidents) in India were specifically attributed to conflicts related to water resources.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

• About: It stands as a prominent global figure in combatting illegal drugs and international crime, while also overseeing the execution of the primary United Nations initiative on counterterrorism.
• Establishment: In 1997.
• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.