Civilian deaths due to armed conflicts around the world soared 72 per cent last year, the UN rights chief, Volker Turk, said Tuesday.

This significant rise highlights a worsening situation in terms of civilian safety and the impact of armed conflicts on non-combatant populations globally.

Turk told the opening of a United Nations Human Rights Council session about the alarming increase in the proportion of women and children killed.

“In 2023, data gathered by my Office shows the number of civilian deaths in armed conflict soared by 72 per cent.

“The proportion of women killed in 2023 doubled and that of children tripled,” he said.

Details later…