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| Why it is time to act fast on the rise of the suicide bomber | Why it is time to act fast on the rise of the suicide bomber |
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| It was the year of the suicide bomber. In 2015, 9,109 civilians were reported killed or injured in suicide attacks and lives were shattered in 248 incidents in mosques and markets, checkpoints and restaurants around the world. It was a year where 21 countries saw men and women blow themselves up in a rising tide of violence that seems to be spreading by the day. | It was the year of the suicide bomber. In 2015, 9,109 civilians were reported killed or injured in suicide attacks and lives were shattered in 248 incidents in mosques and markets, checkpoints and restaurants around the world. It was a year where 21 countries saw men and women blow themselves up in a rising tide of violence that seems to be spreading by the day. |
| The growing cult of the suicide bomber urgently needs to be addressed. During the last five years the charity I work for, Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), has been charting the harm caused by all forms of explosive weapons around the world. In 2011, when we started our monitor of global news reports, 5,107 civilians were reported killed or injured by suicide bombers. Last year that was up 78%. | The growing cult of the suicide bomber urgently needs to be addressed. During the last five years the charity I work for, Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), has been charting the harm caused by all forms of explosive weapons around the world. In 2011, when we started our monitor of global news reports, 5,107 civilians were reported killed or injured by suicide bombers. Last year that was up 78%. |
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| Admittedly, it was not the worst year for suicide attacks on record – 2007 was. That year, according to the Chicago Project on Security and Terrorism, some 20,400 people were killed or injured in suicide attacks. But in 2007 the vast majority of these were in Iraq and Afghanistan and suicide bombs were recorded in just 12 countries. | Admittedly, it was not the worst year for suicide attacks on record – 2007 was. That year, according to the Chicago Project on Security and Terrorism, some 20,400 people were killed or injured in suicide attacks. But in 2007 the vast majority of these were in Iraq and Afghanistan and suicide bombs were recorded in just 12 countries. |
| By contrast, in 2015 places previously untouched by suicide attacks were hit. Chad was targeted for the first time (459 civilians killed or wounded), as was Cameroon (431). And Nigeria’s civilian death and injury rate (which, at 2,062, was the highest from suicide bombings) was 14 times that of 2011. | By contrast, in 2015 places previously untouched by suicide attacks were hit. Chad was targeted for the first time (459 civilians killed or wounded), as was Cameroon (431). And Nigeria’s civilian death and injury rate (which, at 2,062, was the highest from suicide bombings) was 14 times that of 2011. |
| Last year also showed another trend: that of the suicide vest as terrorists’ explosive weapon of choice. Last year, according to AOAV’s data, suicide attacks were behind 56% of the 16,180 civilian deaths or injuries from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) worldwide – including car bombs and roadside bombs. In 2011, it was just 38% (5,107 of 13,336). | Last year also showed another trend: that of the suicide vest as terrorists’ explosive weapon of choice. Last year, according to AOAV’s data, suicide attacks were behind 56% of the 16,180 civilian deaths or injuries from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) worldwide – including car bombs and roadside bombs. In 2011, it was just 38% (5,107 of 13,336). |
| What is clear is that the people suffering most are Muslims. Most of the 21 countries hit were majority Muslim, and most of the perpetrators were doing so in the name of Islam. What is less clear, is what the international community is doing to stem this rising tide. | |
| There are no easy fixes. Last year, when Mozambique declared itself free of landmines, you saw the remarkable result of a coalition of states and charities at work. But improvised explosive devices which are triggered by the user are not prohibited under the Mine Ban Treaty. | There are no easy fixes. Last year, when Mozambique declared itself free of landmines, you saw the remarkable result of a coalition of states and charities at work. But improvised explosive devices which are triggered by the user are not prohibited under the Mine Ban Treaty. |
| There are no legitimate suicide vest factories that can be shut down by governments | There are no legitimate suicide vest factories that can be shut down by governments |
| There are no legitimate suicide vest factories that can be shut down by governments. The materials used in suicide bombs often have additional, legitimate uses – such as fertiliser – so it is impractical to ban the precursor explosive materials that make up suicide vests. | There are no legitimate suicide vest factories that can be shut down by governments. The materials used in suicide bombs often have additional, legitimate uses – such as fertiliser – so it is impractical to ban the precursor explosive materials that make up suicide vests. |
| It is true that some states are waking up to the need for a multi-national, multi-layered response to the problem. Last year, an Afghan resolution was adopted at the United Nations General Assembly, aimed at countering the threat of IEDs. It called for information sharing and a comprehensive approach to countering the growing threat. | It is true that some states are waking up to the need for a multi-national, multi-layered response to the problem. Last year, an Afghan resolution was adopted at the United Nations General Assembly, aimed at countering the threat of IEDs. It called for information sharing and a comprehensive approach to countering the growing threat. |
| France also led the way in the disarmament forum of the UN’s Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons in Geneva, hosting side events focusing on this issue. And last year Australia ran a global summit of police, intelligence services and military leaders in Canberra, again seeking ways to combat the threat. | France also led the way in the disarmament forum of the UN’s Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons in Geneva, hosting side events focusing on this issue. And last year Australia ran a global summit of police, intelligence services and military leaders in Canberra, again seeking ways to combat the threat. |
| Related: What will it take to end the pornography of videoed torture? | Related: What will it take to end the pornography of videoed torture? |
| But these approaches are underfunded or are in danger of repetition and a lack of co-ordination. Innovative approaches are also needed to address this complex threat. Aerial strikes on Isis targets are not going to stop the spread. | But these approaches are underfunded or are in danger of repetition and a lack of co-ordination. Innovative approaches are also needed to address this complex threat. Aerial strikes on Isis targets are not going to stop the spread. |
| Of course, it would help if more states condemned the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Certainly, the UN secretary general has done this and around 50 countries have also publicly expressed concern about this humanitarian issue. In September 2015, Austria hosted a meeting for states with an eye towards developing an international political plan to reduce harm from the use of explosive weapons, including preventing their use in populated areas. | Of course, it would help if more states condemned the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Certainly, the UN secretary general has done this and around 50 countries have also publicly expressed concern about this humanitarian issue. In September 2015, Austria hosted a meeting for states with an eye towards developing an international political plan to reduce harm from the use of explosive weapons, including preventing their use in populated areas. |
| Last week, the UN security council held its open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Now, more than ever, is the time for states to acknowledge that suicide attacks are spreading fast. | Last week, the UN security council held its open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Now, more than ever, is the time for states to acknowledge that suicide attacks are spreading fast. |
| Governments need to fund a coordinated response. They need to ensure that explosive munitions stockpiles are properly regulated; they must help the civilians whose lives have been shattered by this pernicious weapon, and engage with religious leaders, charities and other groups to find ways to stigmatise their use. They must ensure a co-ordinated response to transnational smuggling networks. | Governments need to fund a coordinated response. They need to ensure that explosive munitions stockpiles are properly regulated; they must help the civilians whose lives have been shattered by this pernicious weapon, and engage with religious leaders, charities and other groups to find ways to stigmatise their use. They must ensure a co-ordinated response to transnational smuggling networks. |
| But they also need to condemn the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas. That, at least, would be a start. | But they also need to condemn the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas. That, at least, would be a start. |
| Join our community of development professionals and humanitarians. Follow @GuardianGDP on Twitter. | Join our community of development professionals and humanitarians. Follow @GuardianGDP on Twitter. |