A/HRC/19/2 crimes against humanity with the apparent knowledge and consent of the highest levels of the State; 2. Condemns in the strongest terms: (a) The sharply escalating widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms perpetrated by the Syrian authorities, such as arbitrary executions, excessive use of force and the killing and persecution of protesters, refugees, human rights defenders and journalists, including recent deaths of Syrian and foreign journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, including of adolescents and children; (b) The attacks against civilians in cities and villages across the country, including the artillery bombardments of residential areas, the levels of excessive and indiscriminate force used consistently by units of the Syrian armed forces and diverse security forces, and the coordinated nature of these attacks, noting that there is credible and consistent evidence that these actions have been conducted on the orders of the authorities, including high-ranking military officers; (c) The extensive violations of children’s rights committed by the Syrian authorities, including the killing of children during demonstrations and the widespread practice of arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment; (d) The sexual violence committed by the Syrian authorities, including against male detainees and children; (e) The deliberate destruction of hospitals and clinics, the obstruction and denial of medical assistance to the injured and sick, and the raids and killing of wounded protesters in both public and private hospitals; 3. Strongly urges the Syrian authorities to put an immediate end to all violence and all human rights violations; 4. population; Demands that the Syrian authorities meet their responsibility to protect their 5. Expresses its grave concern at the prevailing systemic impunity for human rights violations and its entrenchment in legislation, awarding immunity for State Government officials; 6. Stresses that the widespread and systematic use of violence against Syrian civilians is contrary to international criminal law and requires that perpetrators be brought to justice; 7. Acknowledges and is deeply troubled by the commission of inquiry’s finding that there is a reliable body of evidence that provides reasonable grounds to believe that particular individuals, including commanding officers and officials at the highest levels of Government, bear responsibility for crimes against humanity and other gross human rights violations; 8. Stresses the need to conduct an international, transparent, independent and prompt investigation into violations of international law with a view to hold to account those responsible for widespread, systematic and gross human rights violations, including those violations that may amount to crimes against humanity; 9. Expresses deep concern at the humanitarian situation and urges the Syrian authorities to ensure timely, safe and unhindered access for all humanitarian actors and to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian and medical supplies into the country; GE.13-14768 65