UNODC’s Global Study on Homicide Report 2023

December 21, 2023

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has revealed that disputes over property, land, or access to water were responsible for nearly 16.8% of murder cases recorded in India from 2019 to 2021. This statistic indicates that approximately one in six murders during this period in the country could be attributed to conflicts related to land and water.

Water-Related Conflicts

According to the UNODC’s Global Study on Homicide Report 2023, about 0.5% or 300 of the murders recorded in India between 2019 and 2021 were specifically linked to water-related conflicts. The report, released on December 12, sheds light on the concerning prevalence of violence associated with disputes over water resources.

Interpersonal Homicide Outside Families

The report also highlighted that in India, disputes over access to water have become a prominent driver of interpersonal homicide outside families. This trend underscores the severity of the issue, with conflicts over water access leading to tragic outcomes in various interpersonal relationships.

Root Causes: Population Growth, Economic Expansion, and Climate Change

The situation is further exacerbated by factors such as population growth, economic expansion, and climate change. As natural resource scarcity intensifies, disputes over water access have become more frequent and violent, contributing to the overall homicide rate.

Global Impact and Resource Competition

The UNODC report draws attention to the international impact of natural resource scarcity on homicides. Competition over resources, including water, has resulted in increased violence globally. Southern Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central America have reported a significant number of incidents related to resource conflicts.

Other Motives Behind Murders

In addition to land and water disputes, the report outlines various other motives behind murders in the interpersonal category. These include honor killings, love affairs, illicit relationships, personal vendettas, dowry-related issues, witchcraft, psychopathy or serial killings, incidents of lunacy, road rage, and rape.

Alarming Trends in 2021

The UNODC report particularly highlights the year 2021 as exceptionally lethal, despite consistent stability in global homicide counts over the past two decades. The report emphasizes the need to address the rising trend of violence associated with land and water disputes, calling for comprehensive strategies to mitigate these conflicts.

Previous Findings on Water-Related Crimes

A report by the National Crime Records Bureau in 2020 revealed that at least 232 Indians lost their lives in conflicts related to water in the period of 2017-2019. The report also noted a doubling of water-related crimes in India in 2018 compared to the previous year, highlighting the urgency of addressing this concerning trend.

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