A member of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Syria said on Sunday she was quitting because a lack of political backing from the U.N. Security Council had made the job impossible, Swiss national news agency SDA reported.
Carla del Ponte, 70, who prosecuted war crimes in Rwanda and former Yugoslavia, told a panel discussion on the sidelines of the Locarno Film Festival that she had already prepared her letter of resignation.
"I am quitting this commission, which is not backed by any political will," she said, adding that her role was just an "alibi".
"I have no power as long as the Security Council does nothing," she said. "We are powerless, there is no justice for Syria."
Del Ponte, a former Swiss attorney general, joined the three-member Syria inquiry in September 2012, chronicling incidents such as chemical weapons attacks, a genocide against Iraq's Yazidi population, siege tactics, and the bombing of aid convoys.
She could not immediately be reached for comment and the United Nations did not immediately confirm her plans to quit.
Her departure will leave only two commissioners, Brazilain human rights expert Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, and Karen Koning AbuZayd from the United States.
The commission was set up in August 2011 and has regularly reported on human rights violations, but its pleas to observe international law have largely fallen on deaf ears.
Although the United Nations is setting up a new body to prepare prosecutions, there is no sign of any court being established to try war crimes committed in the six-and-a-half year-old war, nor of any intention by the U.N. Security Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court in the Hague
Del Ponte's determination to be independent made her outspoken and occasionally controversial. She shocked Western governments in May 2013 by declaring that the United Nations had "strong suspicions" of Syrian rebels using sarin gas.
Two years later, she said justice would catch up with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, even if he remained in power under a negotiated peace settlement.
Earlier this year, when the commission reported on Syrian government aircraft deliberately bombing and strafing a humanitarian convoy, del Ponte hinted at her frustration with the inability to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"What we have seen here in Syria, I never saw that in Rwanda, or in former Yugoslavia, in the Balkans. It is really a big tragedy," she added. "Unfortunately we have no tribunal."
Reuters
Mon Aug 07 2017
![Syria investigator del Ponte quits, blaming U.N. Security Council Syria investigator del Ponte quits, blaming U.N. Security Council](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-08/81502071054_CarladelPonte.jpg)
United Nation Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syrian Arabic Republic co-commissioner Carla del Ponte speaks during a news conference at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, February 8, 2016. REUTERS
![Pasaran EV Malaysia berpotensi capai dua peratus menjelang akhir tahun - EON Pasaran EV Malaysia berpotensi capai dua peratus menjelang akhir tahun - EON](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723715909_TBEONBHD.jpg)
Pasaran EV Malaysia berpotensi capai dua peratus menjelang akhir tahun - EON
EON mengunjurkan penembusan pasaran kenderaan elektrik (EV) Malaysia mencecah sehingga dua peratus menjelang akhir tahun, didorong oleh pelancaran model EV tambahan.
![AADK sedia hadapi cabaran selepas RUU Akta Penagih Dadah 2024 diwartakan AADK sedia hadapi cabaran selepas RUU Akta Penagih Dadah 2024 diwartakan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723715345_ShamsulAnuarNasara.jpg)
AADK sedia hadapi cabaran selepas RUU Akta Penagih Dadah 2024 diwartakan
Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan (AADK) sudah bersiap sedia dalam segala aspek sejurus Rang Undang-Undang Akta Penagih Dadah (Rawatan dan Pemulihan) 1983 (Pindaan) 2024 diwartakan kelak.
![MIDF unjur KDNK suku kedua 2024 Malaysia berkembang 6.1 peratus MIDF unjur KDNK suku kedua 2024 Malaysia berkembang 6.1 peratus](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-07/71658163463_klcc.jpg)
MIDF unjur KDNK suku kedua 2024 Malaysia berkembang 6.1 peratus
MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd mengunjurkan pertumbuhan KDNK Malaysia bagi suku kedua 2024 pada sekitar 6.1 peratus tahun ke tahun, disokong oleh pertumbuhan kukuh sektor perkhidmatan.
![Malaysia dijangka tarik pelaburan baharu dalam sektor tenaga dari Singapura dan Vietnam - Fadillah Malaysia dijangka tarik pelaburan baharu dalam sektor tenaga dari Singapura dan Vietnam - Fadillah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723715543_fadillahyusof.jpg)
Malaysia dijangka tarik pelaburan baharu dalam sektor tenaga dari Singapura dan Vietnam - Fadillah
Malaysia dijangka menarik pelaburan baharu dalam sektor tenaga dari Singapura dan Vietnam, kata Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
![EU derma 215,000 vaksin cacar monyet ke Afrika - Suruhanjaya Eropah EU derma 215,000 vaksin cacar monyet ke Afrika - Suruhanjaya Eropah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/61701237866_TBcacarmonyetmonk.jpg)
EU derma 215,000 vaksin cacar monyet ke Afrika - Suruhanjaya Eropah
Suruhanjaya Eropah mengumumkan bahawa pihaknya sedang menyelaraskan sumbangan lebih 215,000 dos vaksin cacar monyet kepada Pusat Kawalan dan Pencegahan Penyakit Afrika (Africa CDC).
![Keldai akaun: Penglibatan pelajar IPT secara tidak sengaja, ditipu sindiket - KPN Keldai akaun: Penglibatan pelajar IPT secara tidak sengaja, ditipu sindiket - KPN](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/51716596370_KetuaPolisNegara.jpg)
Keldai akaun: Penglibatan pelajar IPT secara tidak sengaja, ditipu sindiket - KPN
Polis tidak menolak kemungkinan pembabitan pelajar IPT sebagai pemilik keldai akaun disebabkan mereka turut menjadi mangsa penipuan sehingga akaun bank mereka digunakan sindiket.
![PRK Nenggiri: Jentera BN perlu teruskan gerak kerja hingga kempen berakhir PRK Nenggiri: Jentera BN perlu teruskan gerak kerja hingga kempen berakhir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41719285717_AhmadMaslan.jpg)
PRK Nenggiri: Jentera BN perlu teruskan gerak kerja hingga kempen berakhir
Jentera Barisan Nasional (BN) diingatkan terus melaksanakan gerak kerja sehingga tempoh kempen Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Nenggiri berakhir 11.59 malam esok.
![Kemajuan projek ECRL di empat negeri capai 70.13 peratus Kemajuan projek ECRL di empat negeri capai 70.13 peratus](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723734201_ECRLlandasankeret.jpg)
Kemajuan projek ECRL di empat negeri capai 70.13 peratus
Anthony Loke berkata pembinaan projek berkenaan berjalan lancar dan mengikut jadual ditetapkan.
![Singapura, Filipina tandatangani MoU mengenai kerjasama tindakan iklim Singapura, Filipina tandatangani MoU mengenai kerjasama tindakan iklim](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723735401_SingapuraFilipina.jpg)
Singapura, Filipina tandatangani MoU mengenai kerjasama tindakan iklim
MoU itu antara lain membolehkan pertukaran amalan terbaik dan pengetahuan untuk pembangunan pasaran karbon berintegriti tinggi.
![Imigresen Indonesia kenal pasti laluan penyeludupan utama pekerja migran Imigresen Indonesia kenal pasti laluan penyeludupan utama pekerja migran](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723735226_PATIMaritim.jpg)
Imigresen Indonesia kenal pasti laluan penyeludupan utama pekerja migran
Direktorat Jeneral Imigresen membongkar beberapa cara yang sering digunakan pekerja untuk mengelak daripada mengikuti prosedur undang-undang.
![Sidang Kemuncak Liga Arab terima pakai Deklarasi Jeddah Sidang Kemuncak Liga Arab terima pakai Deklarasi Jeddah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/61684575819_ligaarab.jpg)
Sidang Kemuncak Liga Arab terima pakai Deklarasi Jeddah
Sidang Kemuncak Liga Arab ke-32 yang berakhir pada Jumaat menerima pakai Deklarasi Jeddah yang menyeru perpaduan untuk menyelesaikan isu serantau, lapor Xinhua.
![Dadah: EU kenakan sekatan terhadap sepupu pemimpin Syria Bashar al-Assad Dadah: EU kenakan sekatan terhadap sepupu pemimpin Syria Bashar al-Assad](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/41682403664_Syria.jpg)
Dadah: EU kenakan sekatan terhadap sepupu pemimpin Syria Bashar al-Assad
Kesatuan Eropah (EU) menyenaraikan sepupu Presiden Syria Bashar al-Assad sebagai individu yang dikenakan sekatan kerana didakwa terlibat dalam jenayah mengedar dadah.
![Ribuan turun ke Idlib seru Bashar al-Assad letak jawatan Ribuan turun ke Idlib seru Bashar al-Assad letak jawatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/61678923648_earthquake.jpg)
Ribuan turun ke Idlib seru Bashar al-Assad letak jawatan
Perhimpunan di pusat bandar Idlib adalah yang terbesar dalam beberapa tahun ini.
![Menteri Pertahanan Rusia lawat Syria Menteri Pertahanan Rusia lawat Syria](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-02/71645009352_TBSergeiShoigu.jpg)
Menteri Pertahanan Rusia lawat Syria
Menteri Pertahanan Rusia Sergey Shoigu dan Presiden Syria Bashar al-Assad pada Selasa mengadakan perbincangan mengenai pergerakan tentera Moscow di Mediterranean, lapor Xinhua memetik media tempatan.
![Kawasan tangki minyak di Syria musnah diserang peluru berpandu Kawasan tangki minyak di Syria musnah diserang peluru berpandu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-03/41615134896_aftermath.jpg)
Kawasan tangki minyak di Syria musnah diserang peluru berpandu
Menurut laporan, serangan yang dibuat itu adalah dengan menggunakan peluru berpandu balistik
![Isteri Presiden Syria bebas kanser payudara Isteri Presiden Syria bebas kanser payudara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-08/71564974515_TBSYRIANFIRSTLADY.jpg)
Isteri Presiden Syria bebas kanser payudara
Menurut wanita pertama berusia 44 tahun itu, beliau menerima rawatan kemoterapi dan turut menjalani pembedahan di sebuah hospital tentera Syria.
!['Semoga engkau meminum api dari neraka...' - Doa wanita kehilangan suami, anak 'Semoga engkau meminum api dari neraka...' - Doa wanita kehilangan suami, anak](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-02/41549003643_WANITA.jpg)
'Semoga engkau meminum api dari neraka...' - Doa wanita kehilangan suami, anak
Dicium gambar suami dan anak-anaknya satu persatu sambil memberitahu kesemua mereka telah terbunuh.
![Iran gesa Syria cari penyelesaian Iran gesa Syria cari penyelesaian](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-09/61536018012_IRANSYRIA.jpg)
Iran gesa Syria cari penyelesaian
Menteri Luar Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif membuat gesaan itu ketika tentera Syria yang menyokong Presiden Bashar al-Assad sedang meningkatkan serangan bagi mengambil semula wilayah itu.
![Iran-Syria perkukuh kerjasama pertahanan Iran-Syria perkukuh kerjasama pertahanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-08/81535327666_TBSYRIANxjp.jpg)
Iran-Syria perkukuh kerjasama pertahanan
Kunjungan dua hari Hatami itu turut dijangka memuktamadkan beberapa perjanjian termasuk berhubung ketenteraan dan pertahanan baharu melibatkan kedua-dua negara.
![Wanita pertama Syria, Asma al-Assad jalani rawatan kanser payu dara Wanita pertama Syria, Asma al-Assad jalani rawatan kanser payu dara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-08/61533767224_AsmaAssad.jpg)
Wanita pertama Syria, Asma al-Assad jalani rawatan kanser payu dara
Bashar memaklumkan kanser payu dara yang dihidapi isterinya dikesan berada pada fasa awal.