Syria forces accused by human rights body

SYRIAN government forces have carried out crimes against humanity as they try to crush opposition to President Bashar al-Assad in the restive province of Homs, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said.

It urged Arab League delegates meeting today to suspend Syria from their organisation, ask the UN to impose sanctions on individuals responsible and refer Syria to the International Criminal Court.

“The systematic nature of abuses against civilians in Homs by Syrian government forces, including torture and unlawful killings, constitute crimes against humanity,” the group said.