An outgoing member of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said the body had collected enough evidence to convict Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of war crimes, but lamented the lack of progress on the issue.
When asked by Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung whether there was enough evidence to convict Mr Assad, Carla del Ponte replied, “Yes, I am convinced that is the case”.
“That is why the situation is so frustrating,” she added. “The preparatory work has been done. Despite that, there is no prosecutor and no court."
Ms del Ponte announced she would be quitting the commission last week, citing frustration at the lack of progress on the issue.
"For six years, the commission has investigated,” she said. “Now a prosecutor should continue our work and bring the war criminals before a special court. But that is exactly what Russia is blocking with its veto in the U.N. Security Council."
“I do not want to be an alibi for an international community that is doing nothing at all,” Ms del Ponte continued.
“It’s a tragedy.”
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