UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. human rights chief is asking the Security Council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court for investigation of alleged atrocities against protesters during the five-month uprising.
Navi Pillay told reporters after briefing the council Thursday that she recommended the referral because a U.N. fact-finding commission reported that all its evidence supported a finding of "widespread and systematic violations" of human rights and crimes against humanity.
She said she didn't "hold out much hope" for a court referral.
But Germany said it would press for a council resolution imposing sanctions on Syria.
U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos, who also briefed the council, said the Syrian government has authorized a humanitarian team to visit the country and go anywhere.
