Assad guilty of crimes against humanity, says UN chief Ban Ki-Moon

[Turborama]

Source: The Telegraph

By Damien McElroy in Geneva and Alex Spillius 9:38PM BST 13 Sep 2013

Mr Ban did not say that Syrian government forces had carried out the suspected chemical arms attack near Damascus last month that was investigated by UN experts, but chose to point out that the Syrian leader had “committed many crimes against humanity”.

“Therefore, I’m sure that there will be surely the process of accountability when everything is over,” he said on Friday, in remarks that will increase the pressure on the Syrian regime and could even hamper high-level negotiations.

=snip=

He also gave a UN estimate that 1,400 people were killed in the attack at Ghouta, east of Damascus.

The secretary-general apparently thought his speech to the Women’s International Forum and response to questions were not being broadcast, but they were shown on UN television.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10308480/Assad-guilty-of-crimes-against-humanity-says-UN-chief-Ban-Ki-Moon.html

[Sand Wind]

1. “Therefore, I’m sure that there will be surely the process of accountability when everything is over

When the rebel will succeed to kill him. If Russia or Iran do not manage to give him asylum.

[macspanicattack]

2. But dont you know....

Assad's just a misunderstood man who needs a hug! Dozens here at DU will tell you so.

[AllTooEasy]

4. K&R +1000;

...but you are pro-war, pro-bombing Muslim children, blah, blah, blah.

[macspanicattack]

5. Amazing how that works.

But of course Assad's hands are clean... 'He uses New And Improved PUTIN! PUTIN...when you just have to get your blood stained hands as clean they can be!'

[joshcryer]

3. In before "We can't charge him because then he'd have nothing to lose."

Like Gaddafi in Libya.

Yes, that was actually argued here. "Since he was charged by the ICC then he has full reason to crack down, if it wasn't for the charges everything would be fine."

[Spitfire of ATJ]

6. "when everything is over"

Assuming Assad doesn't take some kind of deal where he leaves with a fistful of Pesos or ends up like Gaddafi.

[Rebellious Republican]

7. Wow, they are moving at lighting speed in a snails world.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dWEg4FhLqPE/TNbeEtb_iiI/AAAAAAAABsI/d6qiBSeD6To/s1600/racing+snail.jpg

[MADem]

8. That same information is found in this article, but notice how the lede is buried...

There's plenty of other things wrong with what al-Assad's people are doing, as well:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/13/syria-chemical-weapons-talks-day-two-live

Syria crisis: Obama says any UN deal must be 'verifiable and enforceable' - as it happened
• UN has 'overwhelming' proof of chemical weapons – Ban
• UN accuses regime of 'war crimes' for bombing hospitals
• Kerry, Lavrov talks continue late into night
• Read the latest summary

....Syrian government forces are bombing and shelling hospitals in rebel-held areas to stop sick and wounded people getting treatment, acts which constitute war crimes, U.N. investigators said on Friday. Reuters reports:

Fighters loyal to President Bashar al-Assad purposefully denied people medical care as a "weapon of war" and had also tortured people in their own medical centres, the independent investigators said.

The U.N. team had details of a smaller number of incidents when rebel forces attacked hospitals.

"The pattern of attacks indicates that government forces deliberately targeted hospitals and medical units to gain military advantage by depriving anti-government armed groups and their perceived supporters of medical assistance," the report said.

The attacks started as violence mounted in Syria's conflict in early 2012 and were continuing, it added.

Neither Assad's forces nor rebel groups immediately responded to the allegations.

The Syrian army has occupied hospitals, using them as bases for snipers, tanks and soldiers, according to the report. Ambulance drivers, nurses and doctors have been attacked, arrested, tortured or disappeared in "insidious" violations of international law.

[Rebellious Republican]

9. I saw this elsewhere, good read, good post MADem!

[mazzarro]

10. Wow! What A Leader Mr Ban Is, eh?

So an unofficially released report is what he is speaking about. He already has the full details to make comments on it and assign fault? That is totally stupid way to lead in such situation!

The Syrian government may well be at fault, but it does not help in ensuring confidence that there is no back hand dealing against one side in a civil war when world leaders start to make comments on unofficially released report.

Both sides in this war have committed atrocities but to lay the blame largely on one side does not help in moving the process for peaceful negotiation of an end to the war.

Some of the countries that are so gong-ho on war in Syria themselves are as bad at home in their own domestic dealings with their citizens - such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Baharian, etc. I cannot wait to read what the UN leader will say when these countries have their own civil crises. My bet is that these countries will buy off the UN with their contributions and the UN will play down whatever civil strife these countries will be going through.

[TheKentuckian]

12. Some of them are unlikely to allow much a civil crisis. Our "friends" are often

quite repressive but somehow we miss their shit.

[daleo]

11. Try Bush first

Go after a big fish for a change.