Syrian security forces killed scores of protesters over the weekend, while arresting hundreds of demonstrators in house-to-house raids. Looking for men under 40 years old, security forces broke into houses in Daraa on Sunday while tanks shelled the city. On Saturday, Syrian forces seized a key mosque in the city. Meanwhile, at least 233 members members of Bashir Assad’s ruling Baath Party have resigned in protest over the violent crackdown. On Friday, the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva voted to condemn Syria’s use of force against peaceful protesters. Kyung-wha Kang is the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Kyung-wha Kang, U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Syria has a responsibility to protect its population from crimes against humanity and other international crimes. In this context, I should like to underscore that any official ordering or undertaking of attacks against the civilian population can be held criminally accountable. Such attacks that occur on a widespread or systematic basis may amount to crimes against humanity.”