The France government has asked the U.N. Security Council to refer the war in Syria to the International Criminal Court for investigation of possible crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The independent commission appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council to investigate rights violations in Syria said at least eight massacres had been perpetrated in Syria by President Bashar Assad’s regime and supporters.

A confidential list of suspected criminals is being produced by the commission and kept under lock and key by U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.

Syria is not a state party to the Rome statute that established the International Criminal Court so the only way it can be referred to The Hague, Netherlands-based tribunal is by the Security Council. The council has previously referred conflicts in Darfur and Libya to the ICC in the past.