UN war crimes investigators for Syria said today that they were ready to share names and details from their secret lists of suspects with any prosecution authorities preparing cases.
The move could pave the way for perpetrators of killings, torture and other atrocities on all sides to be brought to account. The aim is to sidestep the UN Security Council, where Russia and China have prevented the issue being sent to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution.
Paulo Pinheiro, chairman of the United Nations' commission of inquiry, urged national authorities to contact the independent investigators who have compiled five confidential lists over nearly four years.
But it stopped short today of releasing the lists.
FRUSTRATION
Pinheiro said the investigators would continue sharing information from "our extensive database" to aid domestic investigations and prosecutions. Some countries also have "universal jurisdiction", which means they can prosecute international crimes committed by foreign nationals abroad.
The investigators say their lists, kept in a UN safe, include military and security commanders and commanders of insurgent groups. They are based on their interviews with hundreds of victims and witnesses.
"The report remains silent as to the responsibility of Turkey in allowing these terrorists to enter Syria through its borders, and its responsibility in smuggling stolen Syrian oil in order to sell it and fund terrorist groups."
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