Developments with SDG Indicator 16.1.2: conflict-related deaths
Background
In 2017 the UN General Assembly adopted a ‘Global Indicator Framework’ to measure progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This include Sustainable Development Goal 16.1, to ‘Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere’.
To measure implementation of this SDG, two indicators were introduced. Indicator 16.1.1 measures non-conflict-related intentional homicide. Indicator 16.1.2 measures “Number of conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age and cause”.
OHCHR is the ‘custodian agency’ for Indicator 16.1.2. It has led the development of the methodological and data collection approaches for the indicator. This approach was given formal approval at the IAEG-SDG meetingat the end of March this year.
Two types of data will be used to report on SDG indicator 16.1.2: individually documented deaths (casualty records), and estimated undocumented deaths (statistical estimates). Data will be disaggregated at minimum by:
- Sex of person killed (Man, Woman, Unknown)
- Age group of person killed (Adult (18 and above), Child (below 18), Unknown)
- Cause of death (Heavy weapons and explosive munitions; Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO); Small arms and light weapons;; Incendiary; Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN); Electromagnetic weapons; Less lethal weapons; Denial of access to/destruction of objects indispensable to survival; Accidents related to conflict; Use of objects and other means; Unknown)
- Status of the person killed (Civilian, Other protected person, Member of armed forces, Person directly participating in hostilities, Unknown)
What happens now
During 2019, OHCHR aims to collect data on individually documented direct conflict-related deaths of civilians for the years 2015 - 2017, and will submit a report on this in 2020. It will then continue to report annually on global conflict-related deaths (both direct and indirect, civilian and military, documented and estimated).
To produce its reports OHCHR will compile information on conflict deaths from various data providers. It has stated that ‘mechanisms, bodies and institutions that have the mandate, capacity and independence to document and investigate alleged killings related to conflict will be prioritized’. Specifically, this includes ‘UN entities working on casualty recording in the framework of their operations (e.g. peacekeeping operations, commissions of inquiry, humanitarian operations and human rights offices), national human rights institutions and national statistical offices.’ However, OHCHR has also stated it will use casualty information from civil society organisations which can demonstrate their ability to provide credible and reliable data and apply the verification standard required by OHCHR’s methodology.
OHCHR will seek resources to increase the technical support it can provide to relevant stakeholders engaged in casualty recording work. It will also conduct capacity-building activities with relevant stakeholders at national, regional and international levels.
Every Casualty is closely following developments on SDG indicator 16.1.2 to ensure civil society casualty recorders are fully represented and included. We hope to arrange consultations between members of the Casualty Recorders Network and OHCHR shortly to discuss potential future collaboration. Further information will follow.
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