19 Feb 2013

GENEVA / CARLA DEL PONTE

Both pro- and anti-government forces in Syria have become increasingly violent and reckless with human life, according to a report launched by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria. CH UNTV

Posted at: February 19, 2013 12:52 pm

Duration: 03:09

Available in: SD

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STORY: GENEVA / CARLA DEL PONTE
TRT: 3.09
SOURCE: CH UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 18 FEBRUARY 2013, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot, exterior Palais des Nations
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Carla del Ponte, Member of the United Nations 
Commission of Inquiry on Syria: 
"It is now an urgent need to have access to Syria. In particular, it is important that we can go to Syria for the crimes committed by the opponents because we have more facilities investigating outside by the crime committed by the government, under the responsibility of the government, but we have some difficulty by the crimes committed by the opponents, by the rebels."
4. Cutaway, conference
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Carla del Ponte, Member of the United Nations 
Commission of Inquiry on Syria:  
"After so many months and years of investigation activity, I think the international community, and in particular the Security Council, must take the decision, deferral to justice because of course, we can continue to investigate but we are the only institution in the UN who are dealing with crimes committed in Syria, and they are continuing and now really it is time. It is time that a tribunal, in particular an international tribunal - we have a permanent court, ICC, the International Criminal Court - who will be ready to take this case."
6. Cutaway, journalist typing
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Carla del Ponte, Member of the United Nations 
Commission of Inquiry on Syria:  
"I am not concerned about what is done in the political side to achieve peace and to reach, with negotiation, peace. What I am sure about is that once international justice is dealing with this case, it is no amnesty at all."
8. Cutaway, Press Room
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Carla del Ponte, Member of the United Nations 
Commission of Inquiry on Syria:  
"What we are collecting, is not enough let's say, to prepare an indictment, but of course there are strong evidences that we are able to collect but as I said, it should be further investigated."
10. Cutaway, journalists
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Carla del Ponte, Member of the United Nations 
Commission of Inquiry on Syria:  
"Yes, it is time to react now, after two years. It is incredible that the Security Council don't take a decision - and I must, more explicitly than Paolo would say - in the deferral of justice, must be imminent, urgently, because crimes are continuing to be committed in Syria and the number of victims are increasing day to day so justice must be done."
12. Zoom out, camera view finder, Press Room VII, Palais 
des Nations, Geneva.
13. Med shot, journalists

STORYLINE:

Both pro- and anti-government forces in Syria have become increasingly violent and reckless with human life, according to a report by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria. The report launched yesterday (18 February) in Geneva emphasizes the urgent need for parties to the conflict to commit to a political settlement to end the violence, which began nearly two years ago.

Carla del Ponte, a member of the Commission of Inquiry, said that the international community, and in particular the UN Security Council, must make sure that war crimes committed in Syria are referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution.

Del Ponte said that after so many months and years of investigation activity, she thought the international community, and in particular the Security Council, "must 
take the decision". She stressed, "We are the only institution in the UN who are dealing with crimes committed in Syria, and they are continuing and now really it is time."

The report details massacres committed by both government and anti-government forces. It shows that across Syria, murder, torture, rape, enforced disappearance and other inhumane acts have been committed by government forces and affiliated militia, acts which may constitute crimes against humanity. The commission also found that, as anti-government armed groups have gained control over territory, they have committed murder, torture, arbitrary arrest and hostage-taking, all of which may constitute war crimes.

The report highlights a disturbing pattern of aerial attacks targeting hospitals, bakeries and bread lines. Twelve instances were documented in which government jets bombarded bread lines, often when hundreds of civilians had queued for bread following a protracted shortage.

The report also found that government forces, affiliated militias and anti-government armed groups have all violated the rights of children. Incidents of children being killed, tortured and raped by pro-government forces were recorded. Children under the age of 15 have actively participated – including as fighters – in hostilities as part of some of the anti-government armed groups.

The commission has not been allowed to undertake investigations inside Syria but has based its report on interviews conducted outside the country which show that large parts of Syria are scenes of continuous combat, involving more brutal tactics and new military capabilities on all sides.

Carla del Ponte said that there were "strong evidences that we are able to collect but as I said, it should be further investigated".

Next month, a confidential list of individuals and units believed to be responsible for crimes will be submitted to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.