KABUL - The UN's top human rights officer says civilian casualties in Afghanistan have reached "alarming levels."
Louise Arbour blames both the insurgents and NATO-led forces for the high rate of civilian deaths.
But Arbour says international forces need to pay particular attention to the problem.
The former Canadian Supreme Court justice says such killings not only violate international law but they also erode public support in Afghanistan for both NATO and the western-backed government of President Hamid Karzai.
Arbour is wrapping up a six-day trip to Afghanistan. She met in private with top NATO commanders and says she believes they are aware of the significance of the issue.
Arbour also says the issue of women's rights in Afghanistan has stalled "despite the promise of the post-Taliban era."
Women continue to suffer disproportionately in Afghanistan's war-torn and poverty stricken society, she said.
Karzai has repeatedly pleaded with international forces to do all they can to prevent civilian casualties.
An Associated Press count of such casualties this year found that militants had caused 346 deaths while international troops had caused 337 deaths through the end of October.
