Incident Report: Death in Custody of Joseph Czuba

This report details the death in custody of Joseph Czuba, an individual convicted of a fatal hate crime, and analyzes the incident through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mr. Czuba, 73, died on Thursday, less than three months after being sentenced for the murder of a six-year-old child and the attempted murder of his mother in Plainfield Township, Illinois. The attack, which occurred in October 2023, was motivated by the victims’ Islamic faith and Palestinian heritage.

Case Summary and Legal Proceedings

Details of the Attack

• Victims: Wadee Alfayoumi, age 6 (deceased), and his mother, Hanan Shaheen (seriously injured).
• Date: October 2023, days after the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
• Location: A residence in Plainfield Township, Illinois, where the victims were tenants of the perpetrator.
• Motive: The attack was determined to be a hate crime, targeting the victims because they were Muslim and Palestinian.
• Method: The perpetrator used a knife, stabbing the child 26 times and severely wounding the mother.

Judicial Outcome

1. Conviction: Joseph Czuba was found guilty by a jury on multiple counts.
2. Charges:
   • One count of first-degree murder
   • One count of attempted murder
   • Two counts of aggravated battery
   • Two counts of hate crime
3. Sentencing: In May, Mr. Czuba was sentenced to 53 years in prison.
4. Death in Custody: The Will County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Mr. Czuba died while in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. The cause of death has not been released.

Analysis in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The circumstances surrounding this case directly contravene several key Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting critical challenges to achieving a peaceful, just, and inclusive society.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

This incident represents a profound failure to achieve SDG 16, which aims to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies.” The hate-motivated violence against a child and his mother is a direct assault on peace and personal security. However, the subsequent actions by law enforcement and the judiciary—including the investigation, trial, and conviction for hate crimes—demonstrate the function of “strong institutions” in providing access to justice for victims and holding perpetrators accountable, a core target of this goal.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The crime was explicitly motivated by discrimination based on religion and national origin, making it a stark violation of SDG 10. This goal calls for the elimination of discriminatory practices and the promotion of social inclusion for all, irrespective of religion or ethnicity (Target 10.2 and 10.3). The attack underscores the violent consequences of unchecked hate and inequality, which remain significant barriers to sustainable development.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The attack undermined the objective of SDG 11 to create “inclusive and safe” communities. The crime instilled fear within the local Palestinian and Muslim populations, compromising their sense of safety and belonging. In response, the community’s dedication of a park playground in the victim’s honor is a constructive effort to reclaim public space and reinforce the principles of inclusivity and safety for all residents, particularly children, aligning with Target 11.7 (universal access to safe and inclusive public spaces).

Additional SDG Implications

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The murder of a child and the severe physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon his mother are fundamental violations of the right to life and well-being.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The violent attack on Hanan Shaheen is an example of violence against women in the private sphere, an issue SDG 5 seeks to eliminate (Target 5.2).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is central to the article, which details a violent crime (murder and attempted murder), its classification as a hate crime, and the subsequent judicial process, including conviction and sentencing. It touches upon the themes of reducing violence, ensuring justice for victims, and the role of law enforcement and the judiciary.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article explicitly states the attack was a hate crime motivated by the victims’ “Islamic faith” and their identity as Palestinians. This directly relates to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities and combat discrimination based on religion, origin, and ethnicity.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article highlights the impact of the crime on the local community of Plainfield, noting it “renewed fears of anti-Muslim discrimination” and hit hard in an area with a “large and established Palestinian community.” This connects to the goal of making communities inclusive and safe for all residents.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   The article is fundamentally about extreme violence. It reports on the “fatal stabbing” of a 6-year-old boy and the serious injury of his mother, directly addressing the issue of violence and related deaths.

2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   The article details the response of the justice system. The perpetrator was convicted of “first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery, and two counts of hate crime” and was “sentenced in May to 53 years in prison.” This demonstrates the application of the rule of law and the process of seeking justice for the victims.

3. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.

   The crime was prosecuted as a “hate crime,” which is a specific legal category designed to combat discriminatory violence. The article states the attacker targeted the victims “because of their Islamic faith,” highlighting the need for and application of policies and laws that address discrimination.

4. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.

   The attack occurred in the victims’ home, a space that should be safe. The aftermath, including “renewed fears of anti-Muslim discrimination” within the Plainfield community, speaks to the challenge of ensuring communities are safe and inclusive for all residents, regardless of their background.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age.

   The article provides data for this indicator by reporting on the murder of one victim, a “6-year-old” boy, Wadee Alfayoumi.

2. Indicator 16.1.3: Proportion of population subjected to physical violence.

   The article describes severe physical violence: the boy was stabbed “26 times,” and his mother, Hanan Shaheen, was “seriously injured” in the attack.

3. Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities.

   This is implied through the mention of the mother’s “frantic 911 call,” which initiated the police and judicial response.

4. Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed.

   The article directly points to this through the motivation for the crime, which was “because of their Islamic faith.” It also notes the broader community impact, citing “renewed fears of anti-Muslim discrimination.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbsnews.com