GENEVA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Friday urged the Syrian government and the armed opposition to abide by obligations under international laws and protect civilians.

Pillay expressed deep concerns over mounting threats to civilians in Syria as the conflicts and violence escalate in the country.

"Civilians and civilian objects must be protected at all times. All parties, including the government and opposition forces, must ensure that they distinguish between civilian and military targets," she said.

The UN human rights chief expressed particular concerns over the likelihood of an imminent major confrontation in Syria's second-largest city of Aleppo.

She said "a discernible pattern has emerged" as government forces try to clear areas it said were occupied by opposition forces. Pillay also said she received an increasing number of reports about opposition fighters torturing or executing prisoners.

"Those who are committing them (torturing and executing) should not believe that they will escape justice. The world does not forget or forgive crimes like these," she added. "This applies to opposition forces committing crimes as well as to government forces and their allies."

A UN diplomat close to the mediation efforts of Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan on Friday said they were "watching the situation in Aleppo very carefully and with great concern." Enditem

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)