Last updated: 10 july, 2009 - 15:44 GMT

Humanitarian violations in Somalia

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Attacks against civilians in Somalia have been one of the main features of the conflicts that have engulfed that country since 1991.

The latest round of fighting between government forces and the hardline islamist militia known as the Al-shabaab has killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands more.

Now the UN is saying that grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law - possibly amounting to war crimes - are being committed.

Rupert Colville is the UN Human Rights spokesman - he described some of the crimes being committed.

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