Opposition calls day of mourning in Syria

(CNN) -- Opposition activists have declared Tuesday a day of mourning across Syria as the death toll from a year of government attacks escalates.

More than 8,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict, including many women and children, said Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, president of the U.N. General Assembly. Opposition activists have put the toll at more than 9,000.

"Violations of human rights are widespread and systematic," Al-Nasser said Monday. "The international community has a responsibility to act."

The call for a day of mourning follows what activists described as a brutal massacre in Homs over the weekend, which included dozens of women and children stabbed and burned to death. Read More