This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/04/syria-un-investigators-chemical-weapons
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Syria: chemical weapons may have been used, say UN investigators | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| UN investigators say there are reasonable grounds to believe that limited quantities of toxic chemicals have been used in at least four attacks in Syria's civil war, but said more evidence is needed to determine the precise substances or who used them. | UN investigators say there are reasonable grounds to believe that limited quantities of toxic chemicals have been used in at least four attacks in Syria's civil war, but said more evidence is needed to determine the precise substances or who used them. |
| The UN commission of inquiry said it needed to test samples taken directly from victims or the site of the alleged attacks. It called on Damascus to allow a team of experts into the country. | The UN commission of inquiry said it needed to test samples taken directly from victims or the site of the alleged attacks. It called on Damascus to allow a team of experts into the country. |
| The commission's report to the UN human rights council on violations in Syria's conflict accused both sides of committing war crimes. In an apparent message to European countries considering arming Syrian rebels, the report warned that the transfer of arms would heighten the risk of violations, leading to more civilian deaths and injuries. | The commission's report to the UN human rights council on violations in Syria's conflict accused both sides of committing war crimes. In an apparent message to European countries considering arming Syrian rebels, the report warned that the transfer of arms would heighten the risk of violations, leading to more civilian deaths and injuries. |
| "War crimes and crimes against humanity have become a daily reality in Syria where the harrowing accounts of victims have seared themselves on our conscience," the report said. "There is a human cost to the increased availability of weapons," it added. | "War crimes and crimes against humanity have become a daily reality in Syria where the harrowing accounts of victims have seared themselves on our conscience," the report said. "There is a human cost to the increased availability of weapons," it added. |
| The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, appointed a team to investigate alleged chemical weapons attacks after the Syrian government asked him to investigate a purported attack by rebels on 19 March on Khan al-Assal village in the northern city of Aleppo. But the Syrian government insisted that the investigation be limited to that incident. | The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, appointed a team to investigate alleged chemical weapons attacks after the Syrian government asked him to investigate a purported attack by rebels on 19 March on Khan al-Assal village in the northern city of Aleppo. But the Syrian government insisted that the investigation be limited to that incident. |
| Syrian soldiers were reportedly killed and injured in the attack, which the rebels blamed on Syrian forces. Opposition activists claim regime forces have used chemical weapons at least six times. | Syrian soldiers were reportedly killed and injured in the attack, which the rebels blamed on Syrian forces. Opposition activists claim regime forces have used chemical weapons at least six times. |
| Ban is insisting on a broader investigation, including into a December incident in Homs. He has appointed Swedish chemical weapons expert Ake Sellstrom to lead a UN investigation but Syria has refused to allow his team into the country. | Ban is insisting on a broader investigation, including into a December incident in Homs. He has appointed Swedish chemical weapons expert Ake Sellstrom to lead a UN investigation but Syria has refused to allow his team into the country. |
| Confirmation of the use of chemical weapons could escalate the international response to the conflict. The UN has said more than 70,000 people have died in the two years since it began. The US president, Barack Obama, has said the use of chemical weapons would be a "red line", but the administration says it still looking for solid evidence. | Confirmation of the use of chemical weapons could escalate the international response to the conflict. The UN has said more than 70,000 people have died in the two years since it began. The US president, Barack Obama, has said the use of chemical weapons would be a "red line", but the administration says it still looking for solid evidence. |
| "There are reasonable grounds to believe that chemical agents have been used as weapons," the report said. "It has not been possible, on the evidence available, to determine the precise chemical agents used, their delivery systems or the perpetrator." | "There are reasonable grounds to believe that chemical agents have been used as weapons," the report said. "It has not been possible, on the evidence available, to determine the precise chemical agents used, their delivery systems or the perpetrator." |
| The report said there are allegations of government forces using chemical weapons in four instances, but also did not rule out rebels using them. | The report said there are allegations of government forces using chemical weapons in four instances, but also did not rule out rebels using them. |
| "It is possible that anti-government armed groups may access and use chemical weapons … though there is no compelling evidence that these groups possess such weapons or their requisite delivery systems," the report said. | "It is possible that anti-government armed groups may access and use chemical weapons … though there is no compelling evidence that these groups possess such weapons or their requisite delivery systems," the report said. |
| "Conclusive findings – particularly in the absence of a large-scale attack – may be reached only after testing samples taken directly from victims or the site of the alleged attack," it said. | "Conclusive findings – particularly in the absence of a large-scale attack – may be reached only after testing samples taken directly from victims or the site of the alleged attack," it said. |
| The report, covering the period from mid-January to mid-May, accused both sides of committing war crimes. On the government side, the report accused government forces and affiliated militia of committing torture, rape, forcible displacement and enforced disappearance. On the rebel side, the report accused armed groups of carrying out sentencing and execution without due process, as well as committing torture, taking hostages and pillaging. | The report, covering the period from mid-January to mid-May, accused both sides of committing war crimes. On the government side, the report accused government forces and affiliated militia of committing torture, rape, forcible displacement and enforced disappearance. On the rebel side, the report accused armed groups of carrying out sentencing and execution without due process, as well as committing torture, taking hostages and pillaging. |
| But it said violations and abuses by the rebels "did not, however, reach the intensity and scale of those committed by government forces and affiliated militia". | But it said violations and abuses by the rebels "did not, however, reach the intensity and scale of those committed by government forces and affiliated militia". |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday. |