(CNN) Civil unrest in Nicaragua that began in mid-April has left at least 317 people dead, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Included in the organization's death toll are 21 police officers and 23 children and adolescents "killed in the context of the crisis," said the commission, which is known as IACHR. The Nicaraguan government reports 195 dead since the protests began.

"The Inter-American Commission condemns all the registered murders and urges the state of Nicaragua to promptly and seriously investigate each of these crimes," said Commissioner Antonia Urrejola, IACHR's rapporteur for the country. She added that "the state must have an updated, reliable and transparent report of the deaths."

On Thursday, the Organization of American States approved the creation of a "Work Group for Nicaragua" designed to "find peaceful and sustainable solutions" to the Nicaraguan crisis that will include "consultations with the government."

Previous mediation talks between the various sectors of society and the government have proven fruitless, with opposing parties unable to reach compromises.

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