4 replies to this topic

[mauRICE]

GLOBAL PEACE INDEX

Survey finds nation more dangerous
BANGKOK POST and REUTERS

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/22May2008_news08.php

Thailand slipped to 118th from last year's 105th in the second annual Global Peace Index survey released on Tuesday, which ranked Iceland as the world's most peaceful nation. This year's index covered 140 countries in comparison to 121 nations when it debuted a year ago.

Thailand scored poorly in four of 24 criteria used as indicators _ levels of violent crimes, political instability, respect for human rights, and the potential for terrorist acts. Only Burma, at 126th, was placed lower than Thailand among nine of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Brunei was not included in the survey.

Singapore came out top in the region at 29th, followed by Vietnam (37th), Malaysia (38th), Laos (51st), Indonesia (68th), Cambodia (91st) and the Philippines (113th).

The Global Peace Index, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, looks at 24 indicators of external and internal measures of peace, including UN deployments, levels of violent crimes, respect for human rights, estimated deaths due to internal and external wars, and the likelihood of violent demonstrations.

Based on a comparison of 121 countries in the same index last year, scores were slightly improved for levels of violent crimes, political instability and the potential for terrorist acts, said a statement accompanying the release of the index on Tuesday.

Steve Killelea, founder of the index, said: ''The world appears to be marginally more peaceful this year. This is encouraging, but it takes small steps by individual countries for the world to make greater strides on the road to peace.''

While Iceland topped the rankings, the US slipped to 97th from 96th last year, but was still ahead of foe Iran which ranked 105th. The US, however, lagged behind Belarus, Cuba, South Korea, Chile, Libya and other counties.

Iraq, which the US invaded in 2003 leading to the toppling of Saddam Hussein, ranked lowest on the index. Afghanistan, another country invaded by the US this decade, was also in the bottom five, along with Sudan, Somalia and Israel.

[mauRICE]

Ranking by region:

http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/result...#asia-australia

World rankings:

http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/results/rankings/2008/

[J.Bell]

I'm not sure just what's being rated here.

[mauRICE]

please delete

[PeterUK]

Steve Killelea, founder of the index, said: ''The world appears to be marginally more peaceful this year. ''

And Steve Killelea has just gone up several places on my absurd statements index.