A/HRC/21/32 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 25 September 2013 Original: English Human Rights Council Twentieth session Agenda items 2 and 4 Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic: implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 19/22 Report of the Secretary-General* Summary The present report reflects the status of implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 19/22 of 23 March 2012, following the first report of the Secretary-General thereon (A/HRC/20/37), which covered the period up until 11 May 2012. The present report contains information on relevant developments up until 20 July 2012, a summary of the information submitted by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic in notes verbales addressed to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights during the reporting period,as well as information on measures and actions taken by relevant international stakeholders. The ceasefire that came into effect on 12 April 2012 held for several days. From 16 April until early May 2012, the cessation of armed violence was not fully respected, although a general reduction in violence was reported, including in the use of heavy weaponry. The presence of observers of the United Nations Supervision Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic in some areas appeared to have a calming effect. Since 10 May, the situation has deteriorated with a surge in the use of improvised explosive devises. At the same time, there were reports of intermittent fighting between the parties and the use of heavy weapons by Government forces. Late in May, conditions further deteriorated, with a rise in attacks by Government forces on population centres using heavy weapons and mechanized infantry as part of a campaign to clear anti-Government armed groups. These attacks were accompanied by an increase in attacks by anti-Government armed groups on * GE.12-17259 Late submission.