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December 13, 2011

U.N. Human Rights Chief: More Than 5,000 Killed in Syrian Crackdown 
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United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay said Monday the death toll
in Syria's nine-month crackdown on anti-government protesters has now
passed 5,000. The figure represents a sharp increase over the more than
4,000 that she cited just 10 days ago.

Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: "It is
rather shocking that when I reported to the Security Council on the 18th
of August, I reported 2,000 civilians killed, and today I reported that
the figure exceeds 5,000 ... And so it is based on the evidence and the
widespread and systematic nature of the killings, the detentions and the
acts of torture that I felt that these acts constituted crimes against
humanity and I recommended that there should be a referral to the
International Criminal Court."

Pillay said the violent crackdown by the government of President Bashar
al-Assad could constitute crimes against humanity. Pillay also said than
14,000 people were reportedly in detention.



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