UN Rights Inquiry Alleges Syrian War Crimes



​​Continuing 'atrocities'

One of the U.N. commissioners, former war crimes prosecutor Carla del Ponte, said atrocities have gone on far too long in Syria.

Del Ponte said it is time for the U.N. Security Council to act to bring about justice. So far, deep splits in the council between Western members and China and Russia have blocked action.

"After two years, it is incredible that the Security Council does not take a decision," she said. "Justice must be imminent urgently because crimes are continuing, committed in Syria and the number of victims are increasing day to day. So, justice must be done."

The commission of inquiry was set up in 2011 by the U.N. Human Rights Council.

The four investigators were not allowed to enter Syria. They gathered information from testimony of nearly 450 people.



Children targeted

Del Ponte said some of the most shocking allegations involve children.

"The children are used, for example as messengers during the war and, of course, they are under high risk and many children were wounded," she said. "And, we have also some crimes committed against children - rape, sexual violence."


  • A refugee camp near Azzaz where nearly 9,000 internally displaced persons are living as of February 17, 2013.
  • Free Syrian Army fighters play football near Al Neirab airport in Aleppo, February 17, 2013.
  • Um Jaafar, a fighter in the Free Syrian Army, with other women undergoing military training in Aleppo, February 17, 2013.
  • A Syrian woman between a line of tents in a camp for displaced people near Azzaz, Syria, February 17, 2013.
  • A Free Syrian Army fighter cleans an anti-aircraft artillery gun near the Menagh military airport in Aleppo's countryside February 17, 2013.
  • Free Syrian Army fighters walk through a damaged apartment near Al Neirab airport in Aleppo, February 17, 2013.
  • A member of the Free Syrian Army stands with his weapon in Aleppo, February 16, 2013.
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The commission has a confidential list of high-level political and military individuals and units it suspects to be responsible for crimes.

It will submit the list to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights next month. A tribunal will conduct a formal investigation which may lead to indictments.

The decision to refer the conflict to the ICC lies with the U.N. Security Council, which is deeply divided between Western nations, and China and Russia, which have blocked action.

EU sanctions

On Monday, European Union governments extended for three months sanctions against Syria, but said they would amend an arms embargo to provide "non-lethal" support and technical assistance to help protect civilians.

The decision was reached at an EU foreign minister meeting in Brussels, where Britain lobbied to ease the arms embargo so that rebels can gain access to military aid in their fight against President Bashar al-Assad. Most foreign ministers opposed the request, with Luxembourg's Jean Asselborn stating "there is no shortage of arms in Syria."

Meanwhile, the French news agency, citing the pro-Damascus Lebanese newspaper As-Safir, quoted Assad as telling the paper he is confident his military will defeat the rebels.

The published comments came as Syrian rebels reportedly captured a key army checkpoint on the main road to the airport in the northern city of Aleppo, the latest win in their battle to secure strategic airports in the area.

The United Nations estimates some 70,000 people have lost their lives since anti-government protests erupted in March 2011 and broadened into war.

VOA's Naomi Martig contributed to this report.
http://www.voanews.com/content/un-has-list-of-syrian-war-crime-suspects/1605681.html

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