Only days after UN Committee on Torture found evidence of abuse of children, Syria’s military and security forces are accused committing crimes against humanity according to Independent Commission of Inquiry established by the UN Human Rights Council. (See Film Report: - “Syria Inquiry Human Rights Council” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/syria-inquiry-human-rights-council/26584 Range of Offenses Prosecutable Under International Criminal Law: Syria is “responsible for wrongful acts, including crimes against humanity, committed by members of its military and security forces as documented in the present Report. The substantial body of evidence gathered by the commission indicates that these gross violations of human rights have been committed by Syrian military and security forces since the beginning of the protests in March,” according to the Report documenting summary execution, arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance, torture, including sexual violence, as well as violations of children’s rights. “The commission is thus gravely concerned that crimes against humanity of murder, torture, rape or other forms of sexual violence of comparable gravity, imprisonment or other severe deprivation of liberty, enforced disappearances of persons and other inhumane acts of a similar character have occurred in different locations in the country since March,” According to international law, "when certain crimes are committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against civilians and the perpetrators know that their conduct is part of this attack, such offenses constitute crimes against humanity". Investigators Still Blocked: The Inquiry Commission called on the Syrian Government to put an immediate end to the ongoing gross human rights violations, to initiate independent and impartial investigations of these violations and to bring perpetrators to justice. It also reiterated its call for immediate and unhindered access to Syria, noting that the Government, despite many requests, failed to engage in dialogue and to grant the commission access to the country. Read: “Syria Still Not Providing Access to Human Rights Investigators” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/syria-still-not-providing-access-to-un-human-rights-investigators-by-ambassador-mo/28402 Next Steps? Further recommendations propose that the Human Rights Council establish the mandate of a special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Syria, and that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) establish a field presence in the country with a protection and promotion mandate. With the Arab League and neighbor Turkey now imposing new sanctions and pressure upon Syria the role of the UN Security Council, but especially the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court becomes more probable and dynamic. Read: - “Arab League Sanctions on Syria Assad Regime” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/arab-league-sanctions-on-syria-assad-regime-by-ambassador-mo/42079 The report is authored by chairperson Paulo Pinheiro, Yakin Ertürk and Karen Koning AbuZayd and following is link: www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11654&LangID=E UN Photo – Syrian Women Protest this Spring. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX "WarCrimesJustice" Channel diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice