United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay has accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of being behind the systematic torture of children and the killing of civilians.
Speaking to the BBC, Ms Pillay said Assad could stop the killings immediately if he issued an order and that he would face justice for the crimes committed by the Syrian forces.
Asked by the BBC in an interview if he bore command responsibility for the abuses, Ms Pillay said:
"That is the legal situation. Factually there is enough evidence pointing to the fact that many of these acts are committed by the security forces [and] must have received the approval or the complicity at the highest level.
"Because President Assad could simply issue an order to stop the killings and the killings would stop."
"I feel that investigation and prosecution is a crucial element to deter and call a stop to these violations," she said.
"There is no statute of limitations so people like [Mr Assad] can go on for a very long time but one day they will have to face justice."
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