UN Report: ‘Reasonable’ to Believe Chemical Weapons Used in Syria
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The latest UN Human Rights Council report into Syria released Tuesday says there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that chemical weapons have been used by both sides.
The exact nature of the agents used remains unclear as further evidence and access is needed to confirm the allegations. The UN’s specially appointed investigator has still not been given access to Syria.
The report points to 17 different “massacres,” and catalogues the increasing recruitment of children. It alleges war crimes are being committed by both sides, but more atrocities are being carried out by the Assad regime. The rebels stand accused of executing captured soldiers without due process, torture, taking hostages and pillaging.
Given the debate about weapons supplies by the West and Russia, the report adds a warning: “There is a human cost to the increased availability of weapons.”
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