Comment by UN Human Rights Chief on Syria video

The following comments can be attributed to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay:

“The video that has just emerged from Syria, apparently showing a rebel leader cutting out and biting the heart of a dead soldier, depicts a truly atrocious act. Mutilating or desecrating corpses during a conflict is a war crime. While it is not yet possible to fully authenticate the video, I urge the armed opposition groups in Syria must do everything in their power to halt such gross crimes. They must investigate this incident along with other alleged very serious violations by opposition fighters, including acts of torture and a succession of apparent summary executions and extra-judicial killings.”

“I have repeatedly called for the case of Syria to be referred by the Security Council to the International Criminal Court, so that legal proceedings can begin against people believed to be responsible for serious international crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, irrespective of whether they are on the side of the government or are in opposition to it.”

ENDS

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