Peoples under Threat 2012
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Introduction
Risk factors for mass killing
Major risers since 2011
Peoples most under threat - highest rated countries 2012
Download press releases, PDFs and read case studies
Download the full Peoples under Threat table and briefing
View a video on cattle rustling in South Sudan
Introduction
Peoples under Threat is Minority Rights Group’s annual authoritative rankings table which highlights those countries around the world where the risk of mass killing is greatest.
Peoples under Threat is created by compiling data on the known antecedents to genocide or mass political killing. While the individual indicators describe the current situation – what is happening – the index as a whole seeks to predict what may happen.
As an early warning tool, Peoples under Threat has been widely used by UN officials and other human rights and conflict prevention practitioners. Almost all the significant episodes of civilian killing that occurred over the last year took place in countries which were near the top of, or major risers in, 2011’s Peoples under Threat table.
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Minorities face attack as revolutions sour in Middle East and North Africa
This year, countries in the Middle East and North Africa feature prominently in the major risers (see below). Among the Arab countries, Syria, Libya, Yemen and Egypt have all risen significantly in the table. As political space opens up following the Arab Spring of 2011, ethnic or sectarian grievances have been exacerbated and minorities scapegoated.
Minorities in particular are at risk during this time of transition. Mark Lattimer, MRG’s Executive Director said, ‘The huge changes taking place across the Middle East and North Africa, while increasing hopes for democratisation, represent for both religious and ethnic minorities perhaps the most dangerous episode since the violent break-up of the Soviet Union and the former Yugoslavia.’
South Sudan faces threat of more killings as country jumps in ‘Peoples Under Threat' 2012 ranking
Africa's newest sovereign state, South Sudan, is the highest riser in the rankings table. A history of cattle raiding between the Lou Nuer and the Murle, as well as other groups, has developed into inter-communal violence on a highly organised scale in Jonglei state, affecting some 120,000 people. Tens of thousands of refugees have also fled across the border into South Sudan in recent months, escaping Sudanese government shelling of communities in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile state.
Major risers since 2011
| Rank | Rise in rank since 2010 | Country | Group | Total |
| 8 | NEW | South Sudan | Murle, Nuer, Dinka, Anuak, Jie, Kachipo | 19.50 |
| 10 | 4 | Iran | Arabs, Azeris, Baha'is, Baluchis, Kurds, Turkomen | 18.43 |
| 13 | 2 | Yemen | Zaydi Shia, 'Akhdam' | 16.82 |
| 14 | 16 | Syria | Political targets, Shi’a, Assyrians, Kurds, Palestinians | 16.59 |
| 27 | 3 | Kyrgyzstan | Uzbeks, Russians | 13.18 |
| 30 | 5 | Thailand | Chinese, Malay-Muslims, Northern Hill Tribes | 12.70 |
| 36 | 28 | Libya | Black Libyans, Sub-Saharan migrants, Tebu, Berbers | 12.51 |
| 43 | 7 | Kosovo | Serbs, Roma/Ashkali/Egyptians, Bosniaks, Turks, Gorani | 11.99 |
| 61 | NEW | Mali | Tuareg, Arabs, Maure and others in the north | 10.71 |
| 64 | NEW | Egypt | Copts, Shi'a, Baha'is | 10.38 |
Download the full Peoples under Threat table as a PDF file
Peoples most under threat - highest rated countries 2012
| Rank | Country | Group | Total |
| 1 | Somalia | Minorities incl. Bantu, Benadiri and 'caste' groups (Gabooye etc.); clan members at risk in fighting incl. Hawiye, Darod, etc. | 23.66 |
| 2 | Sudan | Fur, Zaghawa, Massalit and others in Darfur; Dinka, Nuba, Beja | 22.00 |
| 3 | Afghanistan | Hazara, Pashtun, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Baluchis | 21.49 |
| 4 | Iraq | Shia, Sunnis, Kurds, Turkmen, Christians, Mandaeans, Yezidis, Shabak, Faili Kurds, Baha'is, Palestinians | 20.92 |
| 5 | Burma/Myanmar | Kachin, Karenni, Karen, Mons, Rakhine, Rohingyas, Shan, Chin (Zomis), Wa | 20.43 |
| 6 | Pakistan | Ahmadiyya, Baluchis, Hindus, Mohhajirs, Pashtun, Sindhis, other religious minorities | 20.28 |
| 7 | Dem. Rep. of the Congo | Hema and Lendu, Hutu, Luba, Lunda, Tutsi/Banyamulenge, Batwa/Bambuti, other groups | 19.56 |
| 8 | South Sudan | Murle, Nuer, Dinka, Anuak, Jie, Kachipo | 19.50 |
| 9 | Ethiopia | Anuak, Afars, Oromo, Somalis, smaller minorities | 19.42 |
| 10 | Iran | Arabs, Azeris, Baha’is, Baluchis, Kurds, Turkmen, newly-settled groups | 18.43 |
Download the full Peoples under Threat table as a PDF file
More information and resources
- Download the full briefing here.
- Download the full table here.
- Read the global press release.
- Read the Africa press release.
- For personal accounts from minority communities in Syria, Egypt, South Sudan and Libya visit MRG’s Minority Voices Newsroom.
- Download or subscribe to MRG's publications.
Listen to an interview with MRG Executive Director Mark Lattimer on the 2012 Peoples under Threat rankings.
View previous tables and briefings at the ^top of the page.