One of the targets of SDG 16 is 16.1, which is to “significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere”. The term violence and death rates are extremely broad, and so in order to quantify and measure progress on this target, there are several indicators, relating to different forms of violence, and different causes of death. This blog will focus on indicator 16.1.2 “Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age and cause”.
According to the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the branch of international branch of law which specifically focuses on armed conflicts, two types of armed conflicts exist: International armed conflicts (IAC), and non-international conflicts (NIAC). Both of these types of conflicts are considered in “conflict-related deaths”. Conflict-related deaths refers to direct deaths as a result of conflict, generally through the use of weapons, including firearms, missiles, mines and bladed weapons. What is not included in this figure is what are considered “indirect deaths”. These indirect deaths are deaths resulting from: “A loss of access to essential goods and services (e.g., economic slowdown, shortages of medicines or reduced farming capacity that result in lack of access to adequate food, water, sanitation, health care and safe conditions of work) that are caused or aggravated by the situation of armed conflict.”
In order to reduce conflict-related deaths, we need to reduce conflicts, and protect those that are affected by any conflicts in the world. Firstly, it is important to note that the average number of deaths per conflict has greatly reduced over time, as illustrated by the following graph from Our World in Data. It is clear that there is a general decrease in deaths because of conflict, however, not all deaths have been included in this graph, and there is no separation of people by, for example, gender, age, etc. A large number of deaths are at the peril of civilians.
How to reduce civilian deaths
In recent conflicts, an increasing number of civilians have been killed, wounded, treated without dignity, detained and/or separated from their families. They have been targeted on purpose, forced to leave their homes, and deprived of their basic rights as human beings, such as the right to supplies, which is essential for their survival. In these countries, the government may have lost control over much, or all of its territory, and so are no longer able to carry out its formal functions, leading to the breakdown of the general measures and rights of civilians in the country. Under humanitarian law, the civilian population in general is protected from dangers arising from military operations. However, some groups among the population, such as children, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities and displaced people, have specific needs and are entitled to special attention. Civilians can also expect, under humanitarian law, adequate care and respect. But one of the most acute challenges facing humanitarian organisations at present is access to all the victims of an armed conflict.
In order to reduce civilian related deaths, a few key measures can be attempted to be put in place.
1. Limiting attacks to military purposes
This refers to objects which, by their nature, location, purpose or use, make an effective contribution to military action. Indiscriminate attacks striking military objectives and civilians or civilians objects without distinction are prohibited. Of course, combatants will not be keen to follow conventions and rules, however the defending party should consider this. In reality, far too often civilians and civilian objects, such as houses, places of worship and schools, are targeted on purpose. Attacks are sometimes launched against cities or villages because, it is argued, they contain military objectives.
2. Protecting the civilian victims
As a possible means to enhance the protection of the wounded and civilians against the effects of hostilities, parties to a conflict can decide to create different kinds of humanitarian zones. Nevertheless, in situations of increasing threats on civilians and lack of commitment of the parties to respect humanitarian law, security zones may be decided by the UN Security Council without the consent of the parties. In that case, necessary resources and means must be granted to protect the people. Experience shows that such measures are likely to be respected only if they are temporary and well defined.
3. Organizations, whether they be non-governmental or governmental can exercise their right to ensure that people are being held under justice circumstances
According to humanitarian law, prisoners of war and detainees have to be protected and respected in all circumstances. The detaining authorities are held responsible for unlawful acts or omissions causing the death or seriously endangering the health of prisoners. If, for, any reasons, detainees or prisoners of war are subjected to judicial proceedings, they have every right to a case put out by an impartial and regularly constituted court, providing citizens with a just case.
Of course, these are three factors that are easily said to be implemented than actually do, however with the proper and thorough work of organizations and governmental organizations and sectors, conflict deaths can be reduced.
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