A/HRC/21/32 K. Independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic 71. In paragraphs 14 to 17, and 20 and 21 of its resolution 19/22, the Human Rights Council referred to the mandate and work of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, which was established by the Council in its resolution S-17/1. The commission continued to carry out its mandate, with full secretariat support provided by OHCHR. Pursuant to paragraph 14 of resolution 19/22, the commission presented an oral update to the Council at its twentieth session (A/HRC/20/CPR.1). The update included the preliminary findings of a special inquiry conducted by the commissionin to the events of Al-Houla, pursuant to Council resolution S-19/1. The commission will also present a written updated report to the Council at its twenty-first session (A/HRC/21/50). 72. In paragraph 17 of its resolution 19/22, the Human Rights Council repeated its call upon the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to cooperate with the commission of inquiry. The chairperson of the commission visited Damascus from 23 to 25 June 2012 to discuss with the Syrian authorities the work of the commission. The details of that visit were reported in the commission’s oral update. To date, however, the commission has not been granted access to the country to carry out in situ investigations. 73. In its oral report to the Human Rights Council, pursuant to resolution 19/22 (A/HRC/20/CRP.1), the commission of inquiry included information up until 15 June 2012. In the update, the commission stated that it had reasonable grounds to believe that people had been killed, arbitrarily arrested, detained, tortured and subjected to sexual violence by Government forces and pro-Government militia, and that crimes against humanity may have been committed by Government forces. The commission also reported that security forces personnel and civilians had been killed, abducted and tortured by anti-Government armed groups, who had increased their use of improvised explosive devices. The commission had not been able to ascertain responsibility for several incidents in which explosives were used. 74. In paragraphs 20 and 21 of its resolution 19/22, the Human Rights Council decided to transmit the reports of the commission of inquiry to all relevant United Nations bodies and the Secretary-General for appropriate action, and recommended that the main bodies of the United Nations urgently consider the reports of the commission and take appropriate action to address human rights violations, as well as crimes against humanity that may have been committed. During the reporting period, I transmitted the oral update of the commission of inquiry (A/HRC/20/CRP.1) to the Security Council on 19 July 2012. It is recalled that I had transmitted the previous report of the commission (A/HRC/S17/2/Add.1) to the Security Council on 13 December 2011. L. Office of the High Commissioner and special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council 75. In paragraph 18 of its resolution 19/22, the Human Rights Council repeated its call upon the Syrian authorities to cooperate with the special procedures of the Council and with OHCHR, including through the establishment of a field presence. 76. In response to that request, the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic reiterated in its note verbale of 16 July 2012 that it had collaborated in a serious and transparent manner with the special procedures of the Human Rights Council and other human rights mechanisms “eschewing politicization” in accordance with the State’s commitments and international obligations. The Government also pointed out that it regularly provided 16