The situation in Syria reflects a colossal failure to protect civilians, children, women and men who suffer the brutality of unbridled violence and gross human rights violations by all parties to the conflict.

That’s what the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay said on Wednesday as the UN Human Rights Council began an urgent debate on the situation of human rights in Syria.

The meeting was held at the request of Turkey, Qatar and the United States despite strong objections from Syria, Cuba and Venezuela.

Derrick Mbatha reports.

Duration: 4'30"