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July 14, 2011

U.N.: Afghan Civilian Deaths at Record High 
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The United Nations has disclosed civilian deaths in Afghanistan are at a
new record high. The first half of this year was the deadliest six
months for Afghan civilians since the war began in 2001. The U.N.'s
director of human rights in Afghanistan, Georgette Gagnon, said deaths
rose nearly 30 percent from the same period last year.

Georgette Gagnon: "We at UNAMA [United Nations Assistance Mission for
Afghanistan] documented 1,462 civilian deaths for this period with 80
percent attributed to the anti-government elements and increase of 28
percent in civilian deaths from the same period in 2010."