U.N. urges Turkey to investigate Syria executions
The United Nations is urging Turkey to investigate the suspected executions of Kurdish fighters during its campaign in Syria.
Video footage has emerged that appears to show the killing of three Kurdish captives - carried out by Syrian rebel fighters backed by Turkey.
The fighters have been part of Turkey's assault on Kurdish-held territory.
The U.N. also received reports that a Kurdish politician was executed by the same group on the same day.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SPOKESMAN, RUPERT COLVILLE, SAYING:
"Under international human rights and international humanitarian law, summary executions are serious violations and may amount to a war crime. Turkey could be deemed responsible as a state for violations committed by their affiliated armed groups, as long as Turkey exercises effective control over these groups, or the operations in the course of which those violations occurred."
The U.N. human rights office said it had documented civilian casualties caused by air strikes, ground-based strikes and sniper fire each day since the Turkish offensive began in northeastern Syria nearly a week ago.
