DHAKA: The United Nations human rights chief says there is mounting evidence that Syrian government officials including president Bashar Assad are responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Navi Pillay says a UN panel investigating abuses in Syria`s civil war has produced ‘massive evidence’ of crimes that ‘indicates responsibility at the highest level of government, including the head of state’.

But the head of the UN’s human rights office, who answered questions Monday on human rights concerns around the world, said the lists of suspected criminals are kept under lock and key in her office and will remain sealed there until requested by international or national authorities.

In Syria, Pillay said, ‘the scale and viciousness of the abuses being perpetrated by elements on both sides almost defies belief’, reports TDS.

BDST: 1857 HRS, DEC 02, 2013