For some children in Syria, the
Many initial news stories on the U.N.'s findings seemed to split responsibility for the atrocities between the government forces and the rebels. Opposition atrocities should be cataloged too, but the report clearly puts the preponderance of blame on the army, intelligence forces and pro-government militias. Finding and holding accountable those responsible for these acts, which the report says occurred "in contravention of international law," will be no easy task.
Complicating the situation are the delicate diplomatic maneuvers underway to try to bring about a cease-fire in a war that has cost an estimated 130,000 lives and that threatens to spread beyond Syria's boundaries. Arguments have been made that President
As a practical matter, too, it's unclear whether the
Still, atrocities against children in their homes, on the streets and in detention centers are being committed by individuals and, presumably, ordered by commanders. The U.N. is doing the right thing in amassing and preserving what evidence it can now, and should take whatever additional steps it can to seek justice. There may never be an accounting in court, but the world owes it to the victims to try. And, at the very least, to bear witness.
