A/HRC/33/55
136. Away from the battlefield, civilians and hors de combat fighters continue to be
disappeared, taken hostage, tortured and subjected to sexual violence, often in the
context of detention. Unlawful killings, including deaths in detention and summary
executions, remain a hallmark of this blood-soaked conflict.
137. The Commission repeats: without a return to the peace process, the Syrian
conflict, and the violations and abuses it has nourished, will continue. The sense of
hope engendered earlier this year must be revitalized. This demands a shared
commitment from and action by all the key parties to de-escalate the conflict and to
negotiate constructively.
138. In the meantime and at all times, the call to respect human rights and
international humanitarian law, and to seek accountability for their infringement,
must continue to resonate.
B.
Recommendations
139. The Commission reiterates the recommendations made in previous reports. It
also makes the recommendations below.
140.
The Commission recommends that all parties:
(a)
Restore and revitalize the cessation of hostilities, minimize civilian
casualties and end indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population;
(b)
Allow safe, sustained, unhindered and unconditional access to
humanitarian aid and respect access to basic necessities;
(c)
End all sieges immediately, introduce humanitarian truces as pauses
from the fighting to reach trapped civilians and enable life-saving services to be
delivered, and respect people’s freedom of movement;
(d)
Release detainees, particularly women and children, and treat all
persons who are deprived of liberty humanely;
(e)
Facilitate the tracing of the disappeared and missing, and ensure
monitoring of locations and situations linked therewith;
(f)
Prohibit and prevent absolutely torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment, including sexual violence;
(g)
Ban effectively the recruitment and use of children in hostilities, and
guarantee effective protection of child rights, including access to education and
protection from child labour;
(h)
Protect humanitarian workers, including medical personnel, facilitate
the rapid and unimpeded passage of relief supplies, and safeguard the sanctity of
hospitals and medical transport;
(i)
Prohibit and prevent the use of illegal weapons and related arms trade
and trafficking.
(j)
Protect the country’s cultural heritage and historic sites and prevent
indiscriminate attacks against them.
(k)
Strengthen measures and ensure more effective cooperation against
terrorists listed by the Security Council.
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