Monday, December 12, 2011

Syria: 5,000 dead in violence, says UN human rights chief



Navi Pillay says at least 300 children are among the dead as US ambassador Susan Rice urges security council to act

guardian.co.uk, Monday 12 December 2011

"More than 5,000 people have died in the nine-month-long Syrian uprising, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said on Monday.

Pillay, the UN high commissioner for human rights, told reporters on Monday that she told security council members of the dramatic increase in deaths during an afternoon briefing.

The death toll used by the UN in recent weeks has been around 4,000.

Pillay said she recommended that the council refer Syria to the International Criminal Court, the permanent war crimes tribunal, for investigation of possible crimes against humanity.

Pillay said that at least 300 children are among the dead, and there are thousands of people in detention.

She noted that the last time she briefed the council on Syria, in August, the death toll was at about 2,000....."

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