GENEVA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Violence in Iraq is now worse than ever, the UN's top human rights official said on Wednesday, urging the country's leaders and U.S.-led coalition forces to reassert the government's authority and ensure respect for the rule of law.

The wreckage of a car is seen in Baghdad, Nov. 29, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    "In Iraq, despite the government's efforts to address the deteriorating human rights situation, violence has reached unprecedented levels," said Louise Arbour, the UN high commissioner for human rights.

    "In many parts of the country, scores of civilians are willfully killed and injured every day," Arbour told a session of the UN Human Rights Council.

    She said ever growing unemployment, poverty, discrimination and diminishing access to basic services were severely affecting the economic and social rights of the Iraqi people.

    "The inability of law enforcement agencies and the justice system to protect the Iraqi population has further reduced confidence that perpetrators will be held accountable," Arbour told the 47-nation UN rights watchdog.

    She also urged Iraqi leaders from all sides, multi-national forces in Iraq and the international community as a whole to increase efforts to reassert the authority of the Iraqi government and ensure respect for the rule of law.

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