A/HRC/30/48
individuals, are living proof of the rampancy of war crimes and crimes against
humanity, demanding justice, accountability and peace.
167.
The violence is endemic, regrettably proliferating in its scope and extent.
168. Government forces have directed attacks against the civilian population. The
attacks have included widespread shelling and bombardment of civilian-inhabited
localities and the targeting of civilians for arrest, detention and disappearance on the
basis of their association or perceived opposition to the Government. As part of this
widespread attack on the civilian population, in accordance with State policy,
Government forces have perpetrated crimes against humanity of murder,
extermination, torture, rape, enforced disappearance and other inhumane acts.
169. Government forces have committed gross violations of human rights and the
war crimes of murder, torture, rape, sexual violence and targeting civilians.
Government forces disregarded the special protection accorded to hospitals and
medical personnel. Indiscriminate and disproportionate aerial bombardment and
shelling by Government forces led to mass civilian casualties and spread terror.
170. Anti-Government armed groups have committed the war crimes of murder,
execution without due process, torture, hostage-taking and attacking protected
objects.
171. In addition to these war crimes, Jabhat Al-Nusra has recruited and used
children in hostilities.
172. ISIS has directed acts of violence and terror against the civilian population
under its control in Raqqah, Dayr Az-Zawr, Hasakah, Aleppo, Hama and Homs
governorates. ISIS, a structured group, directs and organizes these acts of violence
against civilians, evincing an organizational policy. ISIS has committed murder,
torture, rape, sexual slavery, sexual violence, forcible displacement and other
inhumane acts as part of a widespread attack on the civilian population, amounting to
crimes against humanity.
173. ISIS has committed war crimes, including murder, execution without due
process, torture, hostage-taking, rape and sexual violence, recruiting and using
children in hostilities and attacking protected objects, as well as other serious
violations of international humanitarian law.
174. The litany of abuses listed here captures only part of the trauma experienced
by Syrian civilians, as the world stands witness.
175. It is thus unconscionable that the global community, as well as regional and
local actors, are prevaricating in their response to a conflagration which has been
escalating since 2011. This living tragedy demands an expeditious end to the political
procrastination and military escalation.
176. There can be no substitute for an all-inclusive peace process which has been too
long in coming. Respect for the choice of the Syrian population is paramount.
B.
Recommendations
177. The Commission of Inquiry reiterates the recommendations made in previous
reports. It further makes the recommendations below.
178.
The Commission recommends that all parties:
(a)
Ensure the effective protection of civilians comprehensively, bearing in
mind the multiple extensive forms of abuse, victimization and re-victimization, and
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