UN envoy: Syrian regime, rebels will face justice

After tour of war-torn country, official says UN is keeping track of atrocities

23 July 2013, 12:15 am

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Syrian army soldiers, seen in the background, standing in front of dead bodies at Bayda village, in the mountains outside the coastal city of Banias, Syria, in May (photo credit: AP/The Syrian Revolution against Bashar Assad)

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A top UN official says she warned Syrian government officials and rebel commanders alike during a recent visit that they will eventually face justice for crimes committed against children.

Leila Zerrougui says she was “overwhelmed” by the suffering of children she witnessed during her tour of Syria and neighboring countries.

Zerrougui is the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. She said Monday that she made clear to both sides that the United Nations is keeping track of atrocities and that “one day Syria will come to peace and those committing the atrocities will have to face, I hope, justice.”

A recent UN report accused Syria’s main rebel umbrella group of recruiting child soldiers and Syrian government forces of detaining minors, often torturing and sexually assaulting them.