Over 3, 700 Iraq civilians killed in October in new monthly high - UN reports

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http://www.trend.az/?mod=shownews&news=32263&lang=en

(un.org) - The number of Iraqi civilians killed in October reached a new high of 3,709, the influence of armed militias is growing, and torture continues to be rampant despite the Government's commitment to address human rights abuses, according to the latest United Nations rights report on the strife-torn country, reports Trend.

"Hundreds of bodies continued to appear in different areas of Baghdad handcuffed, blindfolded and bearing signs of torture and execution-style killing," the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq human rights report for September and October says. "Many witnesses reported that perpetrators wear militia attire and even police or army uniforms."

The report paints a grim picture virtually across the board, from attacks on journalists, judges and lawyers and the worsening situation of women to displacement, violence against religious minorities and the targeting of schools.

Based on figures from the Iraqi Health Ministry, hospitals throughout the country and the Medico-Legal Institute in Baghdad, 7,054 civilians were killed over the two-month period, including 351 women and 110 children. October's figure was nearly 120 more than July's total of 3,590, which UNAMI had termed unprecedented.