A/HRC/24/46 V. Accountability 191. In conferring its mandate to the commission, the Human Rights Council, sought to hold to account those responsible for violations and abuses of international law. 8 The commission continues to keep record of those it reasonably believes to be responsible for the crimes and violations noted in its reports. 1. Government and pro-government forces 192. The Government retains the primary role in protecting the rights of its citizens. As documented above and in previous reports, government forces have committed crimes against humanity, war crimes and violations of international human rights law. 193. The Government has yet to demonstrate the willingness or ability to reign in its security and intelligence apparatus. Similarly, it has condoned pro-government forces perpetrating crimes. Until the Government enforces discipline within these entities, violations will continue. 2. Anti-government armed groups 194. Some anti-government armed groups have committed war crimes. Commanders of groups have consistently failed to take appropriate disciplinary steps. VI. Conclusions and recommendations 195. Relentless shelling has killed thousands of civilians and displaced the populations of entire towns. Massacres and other unlawful killings are perpetrated with impunity. An untold number of men, children and women have disappeared. Many are killed in detention; survivors live with physical and mental scars of torture. Hospitals and schools have been bombarded. 196. The porous borders of the Syrian Arab Republic have facilitated the involvement of regional armed actors, increasingly along sectarian lines. The dynamics of the conflict are extremely complex and extend well beyond its borders. The overtones of sectarianism present in many of the violations find their roots in politics. It is politics that pushes sectarianism, engenders violence and empowers its perpetrators. 197. These violations have been the focus of 10 reports and updates. The perpetrators are not deterred and do not fear future accountability. 198. There is no military solution to this conflict. Those who supply arms create but an illusion of victory. A political solution founded on the tenets of the final communiqué of the Action Group for Syria (the Geneva communiqué)9 is the only path to peace. 199. The commission renews the recommendations made in previous reports and emphasizes those below. 200. 8 9 The commission of inquiry recommends that all parties: Human Rights Council resolution 21/26, para. 10. A/66/865-S/2012/522. 23

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