That some of my ancestors came from Syria may be one reason for the horror I feel over the tragic events in Houla, Syria, where at least 108 villagers, including 34 women and 49 children were massacred last month. Who is responsible for this tragedy?
As both sides — the rebels and the government — blame each other, the decision by the United Nations Human Rights Council to conduct an independent investigation is a positive step. The council called for a team of investigators led by Brazilian Paulo Pinheiro to conduct an investigation and "identify those who appear responsible for these atrocities and to preserve the evidence of crimes for possible future criminal prosecutions."
Navi Pillay, U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said those responsible could face prosecution for crimes against humanity, and called for the U.N. Security Council to refer Syria to International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo. The Houla tragedy resists any attempt to oversimplify it.