International investigators on Thursday handed the UN a list of Syrian officials suspected of crimes against humanity, as a defiant regime brushed off an outcry over the killing of two journalists. Fifty-two people were killed across the country, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, as activists spoke of "terrifying explosions" in Homs as encircling troops pounded rebel areas for a 20th straight day.
In a report, an international panel said it had submitted a list of Syrian military and political officials suspected of crimes against humanity to the UN's top human rights official. "The commission has deposited with the High Commissioner (for Human Rights, Navi Pillay) a comprehensive database containing all evidence collected," said the commission of inquiry.
"Consistent with its mandate, the commission endeavoured, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view to ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable," added the inquiry, commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council.