Topic: Navi Pillay

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Syrian rebels battle at military base near Aleppo airport

Rebels have been attacking the civilian airport in the city of Aleppo for weeks, and now appear to have overrun the main defenses around the facility.
Egypt's Army chief warns state could collapse amid political crisis (+video)

Thousands took to the streets Monday night in direct defiance of a night curfew and a state of emergency declared by President Morsi. Many worry the rioting could spread to other parts of Egypt.
In post-revolutionary Tunisia, 'it's (still) the economy, stupid.'

Violent protests in the countryside echo the economic protest that touched off the Arab Spring here as the new government struggles to improve on the jobs situation.
UN envoy visits Myanmar as ethnic clashes test reforms

UN envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana is visiting Myanmar in the wake of recent fighting between Buddhist Rakhines and minority Muslims. Some accuse the government of fanning tensions.
US ambassador taps Facebook to drive wedge between Syrian military and Assad

Using social media, US Ambassador Robert Ford warns Syrian military officers they could be prosecuted for crimes against humanity by following President Bashar al-Assad’s orders.
Syrian forces and pro-Assad militia could face prosecution for Houla massacre, UN says

Over 100 people were killed in the Syrian town last week. Human rights experts also claim that Syrian authorities ordered the torture of civilians, including children.
Global News Blog Why Zimbabwe's President Mugabe was named UN 'tourism envoy'

Zimbabwe's President Mugabe, who signed an agreement to co-host a UN tourism conference, now has an honorary position as envoy, despite a long record of human rights abuses.
Is Assad scared of a war crimes trial? Assault on Homs suggests not. (+video)

Diplomats critical of Syria are using terms such as 'crimes against humanity' and 'war criminal.' But the Homs assault suggests Assad sees defeating the rebels as more vital for his survival.
Deadlock on Syria: Likely crimes against humanity, but no plan of action

Turkey's foreign minister discussed Syria for hours with US officials Monday, but no 'road map' for action resulted, even as the top UN human rights official warned of crimes against humanity.
UN human rights chief: UN inaction emboldened Syria in violent dissident crackdown

Navi Pillay expressed serious concern that the deliberate stirring of sectarian tensions may plunge Syria into civil war. She again appealed for President Bashar Assad's government to be referred to the International Criminal Court.
Syrian Army defector: We were given killing quotas by Assad regime

Two new human rights reports detail abuses by the Assad regime, but also show a growing use of violence by the opposition.
As Syria death toll soars, so does US frustration with Russia

The death toll from the crackdown in Syria has topped 5,000, the top UN human rights official told the Security Council. With Russia blocking action, the US and others are voicing increasing frustration.
As US Ambassador Ford returns, Syria deteriorates

US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford is returning to Damascus, as the death toll surges and Syria lurches ever closer to civil war.
Children increasingly the victims of Syria crackdown, UN report finds

November was the deadliest month of the revolt for children, with 56 killed, says the report. The UN rights council named a new Syria investigator but declined to refer the country to the Security Council.
Why Royal Dutch Shell oil is pulling out of Syria

Royal Dutch Shell said Friday that it will shut down all oil operations in Syria. On Friday, Syrian troops fired at anti-Assad demonstrators near Homs, Syria.
Syria now in a civil war with 4,000 dead: United Nations

Civil war has been the worst-case scenario in Syria since the revolt against Assad began eight months ago. Damascus has a web of allegiances that extends to Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement and Iran's Shiite theocracy, raising fears of a regional conflagration.
UN warns of civil war as Syrian Army deaths climb

Concerns are mounting that Syria's uprising could descend into civil war as clashes between Syrian Army soldiers and protesters intensify.
Russia dooms Western hopes for tough UN action against Syria

Western countries including the US say the United Nations needs to get tough on Syria for its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. But Russia appeared to block those plans Monday.
US, UN poised for diplomatic assault on Syria's Assad

The US is expected to call for Bashar al-Assad to step down and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will push for International Criminal Court action against the Syrian president.
Fleeing violence, Syrian refugees warn of potential massacre

As thousands of Syrians crossed into Turkey with tales of violence, many described troops amassing outside Jisr al-Shughur to take revenge for the deaths of 120 security and police forces.
Bahrain indifferent to international criticism

In just one example, Bahrain's government failed to respond to a scathing report accusing authorities of detaining wounded protesters rather than allowing them to get treatment.
Beaten BBC journalists reveal details of Qaddafi's torture apparatus

Three BBC journalists detained outside Zawiyah said they were beaten and subjected to 'mock executions.' The UN is investigating separate allegations of torture.
Libya: US closes embassy in Tripoli, sanctions loom

Libya death toll could be in the thousands. The international community is responding in several ways, including at a meeting Friday of the UN Human Rights Council, which set up a commission of inquiry into the violence.
Qaddafi vows to stay or die as 'a martyr'; world weighs limited options

Diplomats gathered in the UN Security Council Tuesday to consider events in Libya. But the international community is likely to think twice before pushing the martyr-talking Qaddafi to the brink.
Why Russia's Medvedev can't seem to deliver

While Russian President Dmitry Medvedev came into office advocating political and cultural reforms, so far he hasn't delivered significant change.