A/HRC/RES/45/21 and his intention to actively pursue efforts to scale up action in this regard in his engagement with all concerned; 8. Takes note of the recent findings of the Commission of Inquiry that there are reasonable grounds to believe the Syrian authorities, in pursuance of a continued State policy, have continued to perpetrate crimes against humanity, enforced disappearance, murder, torture, sexual violence and imprisonment; highlights in this regard the urgent call by the Commission of Inquiry for all parties to immediately cease torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including sexual and gender-based violence, in places of detention, to cease all forms of incommunicado detention and release all persons arbitrarily detained, and to take all feasible measures, under Security Council resolution 2474 (2019), to search for and reveal the fates of those detained and/or missing or disappeared, and further establish an effective channel of communication with families to ensure that their legal, economic and psychological needs are addressed adequately; and urges all parties, but particularly the Syrian authorities, also to grant appropriate international monitoring bodies and medical services immediate access, without undue restrictions, to detainees and detention facilities; 9. Demands that all parties desist immediately from any use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic, in violation of international law, including obligations under international customary law and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, to which the Syrian Arab Republic acceded in 2013, and expresses its strong conviction that those responsible for such use must be held accountable; 10. Deplores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic, which the risks created by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has further exacerbated, deeply regrets the reduction in approved crossing points for cross-border humanitarian aid and the impact on vulnerable populations, and demands that the Syrian authorities and their State and non-State allies facilitate, and all other parties to the conflict do not hinder, full, timely, immediate, unrestricted and safe humanitarian access, including by ensuring immediate cross-line access to prevent further suffering and loss of life and by guaranteeing respect for humanitarian principles across the Syrian Arab Republic; 11. Recalls that international humanitarian law prohibits the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, and implores all parties to urgently resolve such issues, including the recurring service cuts in water distribution and electricity; 12. Expresses concern at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the increased impact on persons in vulnerable situations, particularly in the light of the limitations to health-care services caused by years of conflict, including the deliberate targeting of medical facilities and personnel by the regime and its allies, as noted by the United Nations Board of Inquiry, and recalls the statement by the President of the Human Rights Council on the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, adopted by the Council on 29 May 2020;4 13. Demands that all parties to the conflict comply fully with their obligations under international law to ensure respect for and the protection of all persons engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, and hospitals and all other medical facilities; 14. Recalls Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000, the upcoming twentieth anniversary of its adoption, and other relevant resolutions on women and peace and security, expresses deep concern about the ongoing situation of human rights of women and girls throughout the Syrian Arab Republic, including those human rights violations and abuses highlighted in the latest findings of the Commission of Inquiry and systematic discrimination threatening their physical safety and dignity, reaffirms the importance of the full implementation of the agenda of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) while noting the particular protection needs of displaced women and girls across the Syrian Arab Republic, and the need to ensure the full, effective and meaningful participation 4 A/HRC/PRST/43/1. 3