Reports of Child Torture by Security Forces in Syria, Says UN Panel

A U.N. human rights panel said Friday it had received reports of massive human rights violations in Syria, including the detention and mutilation of children.

The Committee against Torture told reporters that the panel has received "numerous, consistent and substantiated reports" of widespread abuse in the country.

The chair of the panel, Claudio Grossman added that reports referring to the abuse of children were of "particular concern."

"The committee has reviewed numerous, consistent and substantiated reports and information about widespread rights violations in the country," the head of the panel Claudio Grossman said in a statement.

"Of particular concern are reports referring to children who have suffered torture and mutilation while detained."

"The committee is alarmed by the fact that these reports of massive human rights violations take place in a context of total and absolute impunity, as prompt, thorough and impartial investigations have not been undertaken in such cases," he added.

The committee has asked the Syrian government to meet its obligations under the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which it ratified in 2004.