Latin America and the Caribbean: Indicators on Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies

REGIONAL SNAPSHOT SERIES 1

This Regional Snapshot provides a concise overview of progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 16 in Latin America and the Caribbean. Produced jointly by OHCHR, UNDP and UNODC, it distils the latest evidence on peace, justice and inclusion to complement the Global Progress Report on SDG 16. 

The publication highlights persistently high levels of violence in the region, including homicide, femicide, non-lethal violence and attacks on human rights defenders, while underscoring the importance of victimization and household surveys for capturing hidden forms of violence. It also reviews access to criminal and civil justice, pretrial detention, illicit financial and arms flows, bribery and the status of national human rights institutions. A section on inclusion examines birth registration, representation in public institutions, perceptions of political voice, satisfaction with public services and experiences of discrimination. Throughout, the Snapshot draws attention to significant data gaps, noting that the region has the second lowest SDG 16 data availability worldwide. Overall, the publication offers policymakers and practitioners a clear and accessible evidence base to support efforts toward more peaceful, just and inclusive societies.