Clinton: Assad Might Qualify as War Criminal
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State Department photo(WASHINGTON) — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could be categorized as a war criminal. The statement came as the United Nations announced Tuesday that an estimated 7,500 people have died in the country as a result of Assad’s sustained crackdown.
“I think that based on definitions of war criminal and crimes against humanity, there would be an argument to be made that he would fit into that category,” Clinton said.
But she emphasized that the international community should not officially seek to charge Assad with the title. Clinton said past experiences in naming heads of state as war criminals has shown it “limits options” in persuading the leaders to step down from power.
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