The United Nations estimated Wednesday that more than 60,000 people have been killed in Syria's civil war, a toll one-third higher than what anti-regime activists had counted in the 21-month-old conflict.
The UN human rights chief called the toll "truly shocking."
Activists opposed to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad had been estimating the death toll at more than 45,000. This was the first time that the UN estimate surpassed those of activist groups.
"Given there has been no letup in the conflict since the end of November, we can assume that more than 60,000 people have been killed by the beginning of 2013," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a statement. "The number of casualties is much higher than we expected, and is truly shocking," she added.
Top news.India rape suspects ‘tried to run over victim’Comfort dogs soothe Newtown, Conn. children post massacreVenezuela’s Chavez in ‘delicate’ condition: officialDrug-resistant malaria in Thailand threatens millionsWhat news to watch for in 2013A look back at the major tragedies of 2012"The failure of the international community, in particular the Security Council, to take concrete actions to stop the blood-letting, shames us all," Pillay said. "Collectively, we have fiddled at the edges while Syria burns."
Death toll likely greater
The UN human rights chief called the toll "truly shocking."
Activists opposed to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad had been estimating the death toll at more than 45,000. This was the first time that the UN estimate surpassed those of activist groups.
"Given there has been no letup in the conflict since the end of November, we can assume that more than 60,000 people have been killed by the beginning of 2013," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a statement. "The number of casualties is much higher than we expected, and is truly shocking," she added.
Top news.India rape suspects ‘tried to run over victim’Comfort dogs soothe Newtown, Conn. children post massacreVenezuela’s Chavez in ‘delicate’ condition: officialDrug-resistant malaria in Thailand threatens millionsWhat news to watch for in 2013A look back at the major tragedies of 2012"The failure of the international community, in particular the Security Council, to take concrete actions to stop the blood-letting, shames us all," Pillay said. "Collectively, we have fiddled at the edges while Syria burns."
Death toll likely greater