World is more peaceful than 2016 – by 0.28%

World is more peaceful than 2016 – by 0.28% - says Global Peace Index

The world is more peaceful than 2016 says the Global Peace Index, which is the first time since the Syrian war began. Not by much – with only and increase of 0.28%. However peace has declined in America and terrorism records have increased, the Sydney-based think-tank said. The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) published its Global Peace Index on Thursday 1 June 2017 – it’s 10^th annual edition.

IEP researchers said conflict costs had an enormous impact on economies worldwide. Their report found that the world became 0.28% more peaceful over the past year, which was driven by a drop in state-sponsored violence, including torture and extrajudicial killings, and a decrease in the murder rate.

Ninety-three (93) countries became more peaceful over the past years and 68 countries became less peaceful.

The overall trend was not evident in America, where an increase in murders and a higher level of perceived crime pushed peacefulness down. Terrorism levels increased across Europe, but Europe remained the most peaceful region on the planet.

The number of countries with a record number of deaths from terrorism rose to 23 countries. Among these were Denmark, Sweden, France, and Turkey. Researchers found that 60% of countries now have a higher rate of terrorism than they did 10 years ago. The terrorist attack on Manchester in March in England was not in the report’s timeframe.

Increased support for populism in Europe corresponded with a deterioration in peacefulness levels, the report suggested, as wealth inequality rises, media freedoms decrease and people's acceptance of the rights of others diminishes.

In Colombia, the ceasefire between the Farc armed group and the government was reflected in improved scores, notably in the number of deaths from internal conflict, but the country's peacefulness score was held back by ongoing activity by a smaller armed group, the ELN.

Researchers used a multifaceted index of peace indicators. They measured the homicide rate, the ease of access to weapons, the impact of terrorism and the number of armed services personnel in the population, among other things.

Syria is the least peaceful country in the world for the fifth consecutive year. Before the outbreak of civil war in Syria, it was the 65th least peaceful. Its fall has been the starkest of the past decade.

The other four most violent countries are Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan, and Yemen. Middle East and North Africa combined was the least peaceful region in the world.

Iceland remained the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has occupied since 2008. The other four most peaceful countries in the world are New Zealand, Portugal, Austria, and Denmark.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-40118188

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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