Over 3,700 civilians killed in October in Iraq: UN report

The number of Iraqi civilians killed in October hits a new high number of 3,709, the highest since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, a UN report said on Wednesday.

The report noted that the influence of militias is growing, and torture continues to be rampant despite the Iraqi government's commitment to address human rights abuses.

"Hundreds of bodies continued to appear in different areas of Baghdad handcuffed, blindfolded and bearing signs of torture and execution-style killing," said the report released by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

"Many witnesses reported that perpetrators wear militia attire and even police or army uniforms," the report said.

The report said the number of 3,709 people, including women and children, killed in October and that the "sectarian violence" seemed to be the main cause.

The new figure of October based on data provided by the Baghdad health ministry and morgues showed that 7,054 civilians were killed over the two-month period, including 351 women and 110 children. October's figure was 119 more than July's total of 3,590, which UNAMI had termed unprecedented.

"The Mission called on the Iraq government, the U. S.-led multinational force and the international community to increase efforts to reassert the state authority and respect for the rule of law," the report said, urging to rapid dismantling of the growing influence of militias, fighting corruption and organized crime and maintaining discipline within the security and armed forces.

Source: Xinhua