A/HRC/20/37 18. In paragraph 11 (a) of resolution 19/22, the Human Rights Council demanded that the Syrian authorities respect the demands and aspirations of the Syrian people. I took note of the parliamentarian elections held on 7 May 2012 and of the fact that the opposition boycotted the poll. As noted above, the six-point plan is aimed at facilitating an inclusive Syrian-led political process to address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people once fully implemented. 19. In paragraph 11 (b) of resolution 19/22, the Human Rights Council also demanded that the Syrian authorities put an immediate end to all attacks on journalists and to ensure adequate protection, fully respect freedom of expression and allow independent and international media to operate. The Joint Special Envoy reported that he had been informed by the Government that more than 114 journalists had been given visas, and that international reporting from the Syrian Arab Republic had increased pursuant to the sixpoint plan. 20. In paragraph 11 (c) of resolution 19/22, the Human Rights Council further demanded that the Syrian authorities take immediate steps to ensure the safety of foreign nationals in the Syrian Arab Republic, including refugees and diplomatic staff, and to ensure the protection of their property. The Government did not provide OHCHR with information on the status of implementation of paragraph 11 (c). According to media reports, some foreigners were killed while others were detained. 21. In paragraph 11 (d) of resolution 19/22, the Human Rights Council demanded that the Syrian authorities lift the blockade of Homs, Dar’a and Zabadani and of all other cities under siege. The Government did not provide OHCHR with information on the implementation of paragraph 11 (d). Credible sources report that checkpoints controlled by Government forces and by armed anti-Government groups remained, mainly in Homs, Idlib, Dar’a and Hama. 22. In paragraphs 12 and 13 of resolution 19/22, the Human Rights Council called upon the Government to act in accordance with the Plan of Action of the League of Arab States of 2 November 2011, and its decisions of 22 January and 12 February 2012, including to release all those detained arbitrarily following the recent incidents; to withdraw all military and armed forces from cities and towns; to guarantee the freedom of peaceful assembly; and to allow access for all relevant institutions of the League. Despite the six-point plan and the announcement of the ceasefire, reports of the use of live and lethal fire during protests continued. Furthermore, credible sources reported continued cases of arbitrary detention, including of children. In addition, other credible sources reported that the Government had not withdrawn all heavy weapons from cities. 23. Paragraphs 14, 15, 16, 17 and 21 of resolution 19/22 concerned the mandate and work of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution S-17/1 of 23 August 2011. Further to paragraph 14 of resolution 19/22, in which the Council extended the mandate of the commission of inquiry, the commission resumed its work and OHCHR continued to provide it with full secretariat support. The commission is to give an oral update to the Council at its twentieth session, and to present a written update report at its twenty-first session. To date, despite the fact that the Council, in paragraph 17 of resolution 19/22, called upon the Government to cooperate with the commission of inquiry, the commission has not been granted access to the country. On 26 March 2012, further to paragraph 21 of resolution 19/22, the Council transmitted the updated report of the commission of inquiry to me for appropriate action and transmission to all relevant United Nations bodies. 24. In paragraph 18 of resolution 19/22, the Human Rights Council reiterated its call upon the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to cooperate with the special procedures of the Council and with OHCHR, including through the establishment of a field presence. 8