United Nations: France Monday asked the UN Security Council to refer the war in Syria to the International Criminal Court for review of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
A draft resolution was distributed to the council's 14 other member states that will debate it Wednesday, and could vote on it next week, diplomats said.
Because Syria is not an ICC member state, the only way it can be referred to the court is through the Security Council.
UN rights chief Navi Pillay had already made previous calls for the ICC to review the war in Syria.
According to a copy of the resolution obtained by AFP, the Council calls on the court "to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011," when the crisis began.
The text references "the widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Syrian authorities and pro-government militias" as well as those of "non-state armed groups."
In referencing the two camps and recent escalation of atrocities, including chemical attacks, systematic torture and stepped up use of barrel bombs on civilian populations, Paris hopes to convince all council members to refer the matter for review.
But many UN diplomats believe a veto will be exercised by Russia, a faithful ally of Syrian President Bashir al-Assad. Russia and its ally China have already vetoed three western resolutions since the beginning of the Syrian crisis.
A draft resolution was distributed to the council's 14 other member states that will debate it Wednesday, and could vote on it next week, diplomats said.
Because Syria is not an ICC member state, the only way it can be referred to the court is through the Security Council.
UN rights chief Navi Pillay had already made previous calls for the ICC to review the war in Syria.
The text references "the widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Syrian authorities and pro-government militias" as well as those of "non-state armed groups."
Advertisement
But many UN diplomats believe a veto will be exercised by Russia, a faithful ally of Syrian President Bashir al-Assad. Russia and its ally China have already vetoed three western resolutions since the beginning of the Syrian crisis.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Ukraine Launched Overnight Drone Attack, Says Russia Amid Raging War 1962 Indo-China War Era Smoke Bomb Found In Assam, Safely Blasted: Police UK's Seat Should Go To India: Ex-Singaporean Diplomat On UN Security Council Reforms Manipur Chief Minister Slams Tejashwi Yadav Over "Racist" Jab At Himanta Sarma US Millionaire, Who Died By Suicide, Owed $34 Million With $8,000 In Bank On CCTV, Cops Seen Planting Drugs On Man In Mumbai, Suspended After Probe After Land Invasion And Death From Above, A New Enemy In Gaza - Polio Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report Israeli Army Announces Death Of Soldier During Ongoing Raid In West Bank Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.