Peoples under Threat 2021 – Authoritarianism

In many parts of the world, wide-ranging atrocities and other human rights abuses continue to occur, threatening especially those who are considered political opponents, members of minority groups and indigenous peoples. The rise of authoritarianism across the globe in recent years has direct impacts in contexts where genocide, mass killing or systematic violent repression have occurred or there is a risk of such actions taking place. The countries at the top and ascending the 2021 Peoples under Threat index illustrate how, in various ways and to different degrees, authoritarian politics is playing a detrimental role in societies struggling with division, conflict and violence.

Peoples under Threat identifies those country situations around the world where communities face the greatest risk of genocide, mass killing, or systematic violent repression. Based on current indicators from authoritative sources Peoples under Threat has been compiled every year since 2005 to provide early warning of potential future mass atrocities.

View the online Peoples under Threat map or download the full briefing below.