BBC: UN implicates Bashar al-Assad in Syria war crimes [View all]

[pampango]

The UN's commission of inquiry into Syria has produced "massive evidence... [of] very serious crimes, war crimes, crimes against humanity," Ms Pillay said. "The scale of viciousness of the abuses being perpetrated by elements on both sides almost defies belief," she said.

The evidence indicated responsibility "at the highest level of government, including the head of state", she added. It is the first time the UN's human rights office has so directly implicated Mr Assad.

The inquiry has also previously reported it has evidence that rebel forces in Syria have been guilty of human rights abuses.

However, the investigators have always said the Syrian government appears to be responsible for the majority, and that the systematic nature of the abuse points to government policy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25189834

The war crimes and human rights abuses on all sides is why this should be referred to the ICC for prosecution on all sides.

"The scale of viciousness of the abuses being perpetrated by elements on both sides almost defies belief" is a sad, sad commentary, especially coming from someone who has other violence-related horrors.