Middle East, Crimes Against Humanity | featured news

Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces and pro-government shabiha fighters have perpetrated war crimes and crimes against humanity on Syrian civilians, a U.N. expert panel concluded Wednesday, in a report that provides in chilling detail further evidence of a conflict spiraling out of control.

Syrian forces and pro-government militia accused of committing a massacre in Houla could face prosecution for crimes against humanity, the United Nations said on Friday and rights experts said Syrian authorities had directly ordered torture.

Crimes against humanity were continuing in Syria and must not go unpunished, the United Nation's human rights chief said on Monday.

A U.N. investigation released Monday accused Syrian forces of killing and torturing children and other crimes against humanity.

A delegation of human rights organizations and their lawyers Tuesday accused the Syrian government of committing crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, according to a statement released by the group.