Small Arms Survey Reports 2017 Rise in Global Violent Deaths

The Geneva-based Small Arms Survey has released a briefing paper summarizing the data collected by the organization measuring violent deaths: Darkening Horizons: Global Violent Deaths Scenarios, 2018—30. The 2017 figures sadly shows an increase in homicides, mostly in Central and South America but affecting the figures for the whole world. According to the Small Arms Survey, in 2017 “589,000 people—including 96,000 women and girls—lost their lives due to lethal violence. This corresponds to a rate of 7.80 violent deaths per 100,000 population, the second highest since 2004.”

The figures showing an increase in violent death rates are profoundly unsettling. They are also a regress regarding the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goal 16.1: “To Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere” by 2030. This situation urges us to call on all supporters of life to increase their work and deeds for the respect of life and the prevention of killings and to bring or reinforce their support to the essential work of the Center for Global Nonkilling.

The Center for Global Nonkilling is one of the leading institutions and NGO’s doing awareness raising and advocacy for the prevention of violent and accidental deaths. Through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of all countries, CGNK addresses between 10 to 15 countries yearly to advocate for greater respect of the right to life, to compare the figures every four years when they return, or to address specific issues (ratification of the genocide convention, death penalty or suicides i.e.).

May we all fulfill our lives with joy and respect, in its greatest extent.