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used there. gas has been used there. in turkey, a government apology is not enough. the protesters are out again. tonight, this woman tells us how she is helping children in ethiopia get the chance to live out their dreams. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. some of the rebels in syria are using children as soldiers in contravention of international law. that is one of the grim findings of a united nations report released. they said that the country is in freefall and atrocities are being committed by both sides. the government has hard evidence that chemical weapons are being used in the war there.

our diplomatic correspondent has the details. >> the conflict in syria has reached new levels of barbarism. this report says both sides have committed war crimes although only president assad's forces have done so on a scale that amounts to crimes against humanity. some of the most shocking findings are about the plight of .hildren children starved in deceased, victims of bombing, also children exploited or mistreated by both sides. they say the government site has forced children to watch the torture or killing of their parents. in one case in april, they threatened to shoot two girls who started crying during their fathers interrogation. one of the most horrific accusations is based on footage seen by the commission showing the beheading of two victims. one of them apparently by a child. the rebel side is accused of recruiting child soldiers to

fight. as many as 86 of them may have been killed. >> the armored groups are use using child soldiers. this is a war crime that causes unspeakable harm to children and destroys families and the entire communities. >> the un report says there are reasonable grounds to believe that chemical agents are used as weapons in this conflict. france has become the first western power to say that they are certain that gas has been used. in one case, it was a by the assad regime. blood and urine samples from a victim were tested in french laboratories. britain is more conscious and u.s. says that more evidence is needed. >> the president made clear that we need to expand the evidence that we have and make it reviewable, have it corroborated before we make any decisions based on the clear violation and the use of chemical weapons represented by the syrian regime.

>> what does seem beyond doubt is that syria's plight is more desperate by the day. these recent pictures appear to show rebel fighters trying to break the government siege with both sides accused of war crimes. >> this has become a war not just necessarily between the forces of good on one and and the forces of darkness on the other. deposition is also capable of committing war crimes. -- the opposition is also capable of committing war crimes. >> russia's government says that president assad is ready for discussion. somehow the americans cannot get the rebels to join him. >> the situation getting murky and more complicated. prime minister has apologized for a violent crackdown on an environmental protest which sparked days of antigovernment rallies across

the country. the apology was intended to defuse the unrest but demonstrators continued and two protesters have died. our middle east editor is in his gamble. >> by the afternoon, this park was packed with the sort of people who were supposed to be doing well in the new turkey. mainly the young and well- educated. all kinds of groups have joined the bandwagon. gay rights campaigners, trade unionists, and old-style leftists. this protest is more than its original purpose. it is the biggest challenge the government has faced in 10 years in power. , this is not a revolution. this is not like the arab spring or the occupy wall street. this is anatolian style. we stand together with all kinds of people. everyone was talking about this, so they would be able to

change. >> the area is controlled by protesters. this afternoon, the police did not cross these lines which means after days of violence, it was peaceful. oh size were waiting for the next moves. -- both sides were waiting for the next moves they are worried that the lifestyles and the freedom that that they want are threatened by a democratically elected prime minister with islamist beliefs who they say is behaving like an autocratic. in algeriainister today would like to exploit turkey's position bridging east and west. he has scored the protesters who say that his activism including banking the armed opposition is needlessly entangling turkey in dangerous, often sectarian violence. handed out flowers

to protesters and there was a limited apology from the deputy prime minister. he said sorry for excessive force used by the police against green campaigners but not for other actions. is that theing prime minister is reaching the limits of what he can do without the consent of turks who did not vote for him. is that theayinplain prime minister is reaching the limits of what he can do. are unitedall fans against fascism. turkey seem to be a great success. now it is looking like it is more trouble for its friends and enemies. >> sexual assault in the u.s. military is like a cancer that

could destroy the force. that is what pentagon leaders told american lawmakers today. the question is, what will they do about it? the numbers are staggering. in 2012, 26 thousand u.s. servicemembers were sexually assaulted. that was an increase of over 35% from the previous year. cases are not ever reported. of those that are, only 8% aren't prosecuted. thisnizing the situation, army general had this to say. >> we are working to protect our people from sexual assault. as a parent of two sons and a of sexualthe crimes assault, sexual harassment cut to the core of what i care most about, the health and wealth of america's sons and daughters. recognition,at pentagon officials are resisting the suggestion that military commanders should be

removed in the process of deciding whether sexual misconduct cases go to trial. among those lawmakers questioning the military chiefs was senator hagan. you know about american military. your state includes one of the largest military facilities in the world. what are the victims of sexual assault going through? >> the issue is that these men and women have volunteered to serve our country. they have a mission to do, they have a job to do. i should not have to be worried about whether or notoday's the day that they will be sexually assaulted by their brothers in the military. i have talked to many many women, particularly those who left served in afghanistan, who have served on the forward operating bases. one woman told me that she had

to in the afternoon be certain that she did not drink too much fluid because she was frightful that in the evening and in the late night that she would have to use latrine and she would be assaulted. thatis totally acceptable these individuals have to think about that while they are doing a job, while they are carrying heavy gear. while they are doing their job. they have to worry about their own personal protection. >> what happens to them if they do report incidences of sexual assault? ofany of them are fearful stigma, retaliation. they are fearful that nothing will happen and they will continue to have that individuals who they accused, they will have to continue to serve side-by-side. that is one of the reasons we are having this hearing today. it really brought to light how far this problem has grown and

how there has to be a lot more attention applied to this from the joint chiefs of staff to all of the generals and admirals. ,his sexual assault is a crime it is not t cultural issue that we have to wade through. >> it became clear that the military commanders feel the best way to address this is not by appointing lawyers, prosecutors to deal with incidences of sexual assault. they want to keep control of the process. >> one issue in particular, if there is a jury trial in the military court of justice and there has been a conviction, the jury has found the individual guilty. the commanding officer under no circumstances should be able to overturn that a verdict. you look at some of the bills that are being brought forward now and i think that secretary

hagel has also agreed that a jury trial, a conviction of a salt, the commanding officer cannot be able to overturn that. ,- the conviction of assault the commanding officer cannot overturn that. >> thank you fororoining us. tens of thousands of people in hong kong have held a candlelight vigil to mark the 24th anniversary of the tenement square protest and massacre in beijing. hong kong is the only place in china to publicly mark the anniversary. , security wasina tight. a judge in the u.s. has agreed that a man accused of shooting dead 12 people at a colorado movie theater can plead not guilty due to insanity. james holmes is chchged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder for the attack at a midnight screening at a batman film. prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. two british soldiers have pleaded guilty to abusing civilians in afghanistan.

at a court-martial hearing, one of the soldiers it admitted to forcing an afghan boy to touch him in decently and assaulted another child. a second soldier admitted to racially harassing an afghan man. sprinternd paralympic oscar pistorius was back in court today. he is accused of murdering his girlfriend. a charge he denies. after answering if he understands the charges, the judge postponed the proceedings. he remains free on bail. our africa correspondent was in the courtroom and we have the latest. >> no special treatment for oscar pistorius today. the mothers -- the murder suspect forced to battle his way to the crowd. the athlete seemed focused as he faced the cameras once again. southrs this time during african prosecutors are

investigating the death. -- no tears this time. south african prosecutors are investigating the death. they are convinced it is premeditated murder. they're convinced that he followed his girlfriend. they believe that he deliberately shot her through it. to angle could be vital determining whether he was farther away, as he claims. you can analyze it, you can use up front. you put it through the door and you can see the path of the bullet. >> that is crucial. >> i believe so. >> this case is also being tried in a san franciscan media. the victim's mother now alleging that the couple had been fighting. -- this case is also being tried in the south african media.

>> she said that we have been fighting a lot. she did not elaborate on what they were fighting about her and she said that we are fighting a lot. , the court today magistrate criticized the media and those who have been leaking information about the case. the main business was the delay. the prosecution has been granted three more months to present its case. oscar pistorius was on his way back to his uncle's house where he has built his own gym to train in. months ago, he was an emotional wreck appeared today, he was a model of self-control. in thed impassively dock. he will be back here in august third there will be more delays. -- he will be back here in august. there will be more delays. >> yououre watching "bbc world

is america," still to come on this program -- world are watching "bbc news america." queen elizabeth was crowned. she celebrated the moment in westminster abbey. 's most iconic landmarks are closed among the worst flooding for central years -- for several years in central europe. haveia, hungary, germany been affected. the czech authorities have opened flood dams to help to ease the pressure on reservoirs. this has implications for everyone living downstream. this is one of the worst hit areas. >> this is on three big rivers which is used to floods. the water level rose to its highest in 500 years.

came toor merkel inspect the damage and brought the promise of 100 million euros to help clear it up. spoke to people who were already busy with cleanup work and aware that this will take weeks. the loss of income will be a problem and that is why support will not join goal. -- will not dwindle. >> we will tell what is happening. you can look at the street signs protruding out. 12 hours ago, that was up. now, it is a foot below, a third of a meter below. that is how much has fallen. farther north, they were braced for the worst. houses were flooded, this became the means of transport. lives were distracted, homes were destroyed by water. >> horrible. everything was destroyed.

the walls, the floors, all of our belongings have been completely destroyed. >> for some, the nightmare continues. for others, the big cleanup begins. the cost cannot be measured. >> a few weeks ago, we introduced you to an amazing woman called jessica cox. she was born without arms but she has not let that slow her down at all. she is a black belt in tae kwon do, she is the first person to fly a plane with only her feet. >> it was a three-year process. i had to find a specific airplane and it has to left controls. i can actually keep my right

foot on the heels. this is the most incredible, empowering experience i have ever had. that was notof enough, jessica travels around the world. she is a motivational speaker. recently, she went to ethiopia to work there with childrenn wih disabilities. short while ago. a pleasure to have you in the studio. we had so much feedback when we ran that film. now, you have chosen to go to ethiopia to show children what they can do. what was the reception? >> it was truly an incredible experience. this is how much education can affect them. >> what facilities do they have? having been in africa and the middle east for many years, i know that in some of those countries, is hard for people and children wii disabilities.

there are stigmas attached. >> it is very difficult for children. this is for the stigmas and the challenges of the basic needs of being able to have a ramp at a school. we have witnessed some of the work that they have been doing for the schools and these children who are differently able to. to allow them the same opportunities they have here. >> we have pictures we are showing of some of the children that you met. there is that picture of you with your foot up on the board. they would be amazed of what you can do with yourody. >> they were truly amazed. it brought home the fact that this is truly about opportunity. even people who are differently able can achieve so much. this helps to understand what the possibilities are about. that any of say those children can achieve the

kinds of things that you have managed to do? >> i believe if they are given the opportunities, they can succeed in whatever they would love to do. would love to be there with like thise children one who for 16 years she was left at home. she has only been in school for about a year. she is learning how to read. it's incredible incredible to see that difference. >> when you told them about the things you have done, playing the piano, flying an airplane, what is the thing that surprised you the most? >> i think you have to be flying the airplane. .hat shocks a lot of people >> i have to say it amazes me. your level of flexibility, even just writing on that board let alone being on the airplane. how do you keep that up? >> you see people reach their

feet into their mouths and do all of these things. have incredible flexibility. for me, it was just about maintaining that. to use my feet every day, my legs, my muscles, i never lost the flexibility. >> she has done so much more than many of us will be able to achieve in our lifetimes. thank you so much. >> what an amazing woman. , elizabeth windsor was only 25 years old when she became queen 60 years ago. she has gone on to be one of the longest serving and most popular monarchs. today, she attended a special service in commemoration. 2000 people attended the event including her children and grandchildren. we were at the abbey as well.

>> so much has changed and yet here she was, the same monarch with the same consort at her side. as the queen entered westminster abbey, they played this soon- the same music. the same music that greeted her when she came to be crowned. altarar was saint edward's crown, the coronation crown not seen since 1953 when a queen who was then 27 was acclaimed by a nation still recovering or may world war. -- from a world war. for the first time since the coronation, scholars from westminster school proclaimed "long live the queen." today's generation of loyalists

watched and listened as the day of great spiritual significance to the queen was recalled. , in this holyo place, queen elizabeth ii was anointed with holy oil. not whenronation was she became queen.n. that happened when her father died. she was set up onto a life of service. six years after her coronation, that commitment to serve shows no sign of diminishing him a even if the pace at which he was accomplished will slow. the queen after place of hernation followed by

eldest son charles, who was followed by his eldest son and his wife, catherine, who will give first to the next in line. this abbey and expect to witness >> queen elizabeth and her family marking a very special day there at westminster abbey. that brings the broadcast to a close. you can carry on watching bbc news on our 24-hour news channel. from all of us here, thank you so much for watching. i will see you back here tomorrow. >> funding of this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, newman's own foundation, union bank, and united healthcare.

>> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry you operate in, working to nurture new ventures and help provide capital for key strategic decisions. we offer expertise and tailored solutions in a wide range of industries. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news america" was presented by kcet, los angeles.