( CNN ) -- Syrian security forces have committed `` gross violations of human rights '' since anti-government protests began in March , a United Nations report released Monday said . The U.N. independent international commission on Syria 's assessment was based on interviews with 223 victims and witnesses , but observers were not allowed access to the country , the report said . According to the report , evidence `` documents patterns of summary execution , arbitrary arrest , enforced disappearance , torture , including sexual violence , as well as violations of children 's rights . '' Military deserters told the commission that they had been ordered to shoot at unarmed protesters without warning , the report said . `` The commission reiterates its call for immediate and unhindered access to the Syrian Arab Republic , '' the report said . Earlier this month , the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights estimated that government forces had killed at least 3,500 civilians . Syria 's government has consistently blamed armed gangs for the violence and said security forces are protecting the people . `` The Arabic Syrian military , which we are all proud of , has given martyrs in order to protect the life of civilians , '' Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said Monday .
The commission says it interviewed witnesses , but was not allowed into Syria . Its report says Syrian security forces have committed `` gross violations of human rights '' Syria 's foreign minister says the country 's military is protecting civilians .