Addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Navi Pillay reiterated that the Syrian government's actions might amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"The use of heavy weapons by the government and the shelling of populated areas have resulted in high numbers of civilian casualties, mass displacement of civilians inside and outside the country and a devastating humanitarian crisis," she said. "I am equally concerned about violations by anti-government forces, including murder, extra-judicial execution and torture, as well as the recently increased use of improvised explosive devices."