UN investigators say Syria's new authorities are receptive to an investigation into possible war crimes committed during the Bashar al Assad regime. The investigation team emphasizes the urgency of preserving evidence before it's lost.
UN investigators say Syria 's new authorities are very receptive to their request to probe possible war crimes that may have occurred during the Bashar al Assad regime. The team from the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria , led by Robert Petit, recently visited Damascus to meet the new authorities and is preparing to deploy.
The fall of Assad has presented a huge opportunity to investigate possible serious crimes in Syria, but there is an urgency to preserve documents and other evidence before they are lost. Since rebels took the capital and threw open notorious prisons and detention facilities, there have been rising demands to prosecute those responsible for atrocities and killings while he was in power. 'The fall of the Assad rule is a significant opportunity for us to fulfil our mandate on the ground,' Mr Petit said. 'Time is running out. There is a small window of opportunity to secure these sites and the material they hold.' A spokesperson from his team said they are preparing for deployment 'on the expectation we will get authorisation' from the interim government in Syria. 'The representatives from the caretaker authorities were very receptive to our request for cooperation and are aware of the scale of the task ahead,' they added. 'They emphasized that they will need expertise to help safeguard the newly accessible documentation.' The investigation team met with government officials - it was not disclosed who - during its visit to the Syrian capital and visited an unspecified site afterward. 'Even at one facility,' Mr Petit said, 'the mountains of government documentation reveal the chilling efficiency of systemising the regime's atrocity crimes.
Syria War Crimes Bashar Al Assad International Investigation Human Rights
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Syria latest: Iran-backed fighters enter Syria - as rebels vow to keep fightingIran-backed militias entered Syria overnight to support President Bashar al Assad's fight against a rebel uprising, according to army sources. The White Helmets say at least 25 people have been killed in northwestern Syria in airstrikes carried out by the Syrian government and Russia.
Read more »
Syria latest: President Assad reported to have fled Syria after rebels 'enter Damascus'Rebels claim they have seized most of the south as their lightning offensive threatens to end Bashar al Assad's 24-year rule, as Reuters news agency reports that two army officials have said the Syrian president has left Damascus.
Read more »
Syria latest: Assad flees to Moscow; US jets strike Islamic State targets in SyriaBashar al Assad and his family are in Moscow, according to state media, having fled Syria as rebel forces captured the capital Damascus after a shock offensive that began less than two weeks ago.
Read more »
Syria latest: 'Human slaughterhouse' prison investigated - as Assad flees to Moscow amid celebrations in SyriaSyria's civil defence force deploys teams to 'investigate hidden underground cells' at a notorious prison used by Bashar al Assad's regime. Meanwhile, the leader and his family are reportedly in Moscow, having fled as rebel forces captured the capital Damascus after a shock offensive.
Read more »
Syria latest: Russia 'surprised' at overthrowing of Assad regime - as Israel launches strikes on SyriaBashar al Assad is granted asylum in Russia after rebel forces captured the capital Damascus in a shock offensive - which Moscow said had 'surprised' them. Meanwhile, Israel carries out airstrikes in Syria.
Read more »
Syria latest: Moscow 'establishes contact' with rebel group; Blinken arrives in Turkey for Syria talksMoscow has established direct contact with the political wing of rebel group Hayat Tahrir al Sham in Syria, according to Russian state media. Meanwhile, Antony Blinken has arrived in Turkey for talks about the developments in Syria.
Read more »