BEIRUT —U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon accused the Syrian regime of committing “almost certain” crimes against humanity Thursday, as activists reported fresh violence and the arrest of several prominent dissidents, including a U.S.-born blogger.
Speaking to reporters in Vienna, Mr. Ban demanded the Syrian regime stop using indiscriminate force against civilians caught up in fighting between government troops and President Bashar Assad’s opponents.
“We see neighborhoods shelled indiscriminately,” Mr. Ban told reporters in Vienna. “Hospitals used as torture centers. Children as young as 10 years old jailed and abused. We see almost certain crimes against humanity.”
At the United Nations in New York, the General Assembly approved a resolution Thursday backing an Arab League plan that calls for Mr. Assad to step down and strongly condemns human rights violations by his regime.
The vote was 137-12 with 17 abstentions.
Russia and China, which vetoed a similar resolution in the Security Council, voted against the resolution….to read the entire article at source
