The U.N.'s human rights chief called Tuesday for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Syria, saying the situation in the country has deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks. Navi Pillay, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the international community has to take action to prevent Syrian security forces from continuing their attacks against civilians, which she said had resulted in "countless atrocities." "There must be an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to end the fighting and bombardments," Pillay told an urgent meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council. She urged Syria to end all fighting, allow international monitors to enter the country and give unhindered access for aid agencies to enter Homs and other embattled cities. Pillay reiterated her call for Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court "in the face of the unspeakable violations that take place every moment." Members of the council are expected to pass a resolution Tuesday condemning "widespread and systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities." A draft resolution supported by many Arab and Western nations says the regime's use of heavy artillery and tanks to attack civilian areas has contributed to the deaths of thousands of people since March.
