UNHRC condemns Syria, extends war crimes probe

The UN’s top human rights body is extending the mission of its independent expert panel probing alleged war crimes in Syria’s 18-month conflict. The panel led by Brazilian professor Paulo Sergio Pinheiro has blamed Syria’s government forces for the majority of serious abuses since the uprising began in March 2011. Last week it submitted a confidential second list of suspected war crimes perpetrators to the UN human rights office. The panel’s mandate was due to expire at the end of the month. Members of the 47-nation Human Rights Council on Friday voted 41 to three in favor of a resolution put forward by Arab states. Three countries abstained. Russia, China and Cuba opposed the resolution.