ConflictBarometer_2016

EUROPE
of a Cypriot reunification in UN-brokered peace talks. Significant progress was achieved in terms ofinternal cooperation,
citizenship, and basic freedoms. However, no agreements were reached regarding Turkish guarantees, the borderlines within
the future federal state, and the rights of return for Greek Cypriot refugees.
In Greece, the violent crisis between various left-wing groups as well as militant anarchists, on the one hand, and the government,
on the other, continued [→ Greece (social protests, left-wing militants)]. Throughout the year, several workers' unions
organized walkouts, which brought the country to a standstill. Militant anarchists repeatedly conducted attacks on government
buildings and property.
In Western Europe, the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees as well as attacks by Islamist militants sparked waves
of xenophobia and violent opposition against the government's asylum and immigration policy in Germany and Sweden [→
Germany (xenophobes); Sweden (xenophobes)]. In Germany, xenophobes and xenophobic groups as well as members of rightwing
political parties conducted more than 2,000 attacks against refugees and refugee accommodations, injuring hundreds.
Furthermore, the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany initiated criminal investigations on hate speech and incitement of
the people against speakers of anti-asylum demonstrations. In Sweden, after a refugee from Somalia had killed a female social
worker,xenophobic groups, among them Soldiers of Odin, patrolled through major cities, harassing refugees and foreigners,
and injuring several persons. Furthermore, xenophobes conducted more than 20 arson attacks and other assaults on refugee
accommodations. In Basque Country, Spain, an incident involving two Civil Guards and Basque citizens resulted in a violent
clash and two people injured. However, it was highly debated whether this incident was a result of renewed nationalistic
views or other reasons. In Scotland, the so-called Brexit referendum and the surrounding events were the main points of
contention. After the pro-Brexit decision, Scottish politicians announced thatanew independence referendum regarding the
secession of Scotland would be held within the next two years.
CONFLICT INTENSITIES IN EUROPE
IN 2016 COMPARED TO 2015
FREQUENCY OF CONFLICT ITEMS IN EUROPE
IN 2016 BY INTENSITY GROUPS
2015:
2016:
high intensity
medium intensity
low intensity
26
24
21
20
12
12
15
16
9
10
7
7
6
6
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
territory
secession
0 0 0
0 0
decolonisation
autonomy
0
system / ideology
0
national power
0 0
subnational predominance
0
international power
resources
0 0
dispute non-violent crisis violent crisis limited war war
other
33