ReliefWeb

R2P Monitor:

Provides background on populations at risk of mass atrocity crimes, with particular emphasis on key events and actors and their connection to the threat, or commission, of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

Offers analysis of the country’s past history in relation to mass atrocity crimes; the factors that have enabled their possible commission, or that prevent their resolution; and the receptivity of the situation to positive influences that would assist in preventing further crimes.

Tracks the international response to the situation with a particular emphasis upon the actions of the United Nations (UN), key regional actors and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Suggests necessary action to prevent or halt the commission of mass atrocity crimes.

SYRIA

Populations in Syria continue to face mass atrocity crimes committed by state security forces and affiliated militias.

The increasingly sectarian nature of the civil war puts civilians at even greater risk.

BACKGROUND

After two years of internal conflict in Syria, civilians remain the primary victims of the violence as the fighting continues to move deeper into urban areas. On 11 March the UN Human Rights Council-mandated Commission of Inquiry (CoI) said, “a failure to resolve this increasingly violent conflict will condemn Syria, the region and the millions of civilians caught in the crossfire to an unimaginably bleak future.”