A/HRC/34/5 Syrian Arab Republic was party to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction and was committed to fulfilling its obligations under that convention. Moreover, it had provided the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons with information on the storage and use of such weapons by terrorist groups in several parts of the country. The Government condemned the use of chemical weapons by terrorists on Syrian territory. 45. The delegation reassured Namibia and Slovenia that the Government was considering all aspects of cases of discrimination against women and was determined to address them. 46. Nicaragua reiterated its solidarity with the people and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic for having faced, for several years, an internal conflict exacerbated by external aggression. 47. Nigeria noted that, despite the challenges faced by the country, which had been caused by both internal and external factors, the Government had reaffirmed its determination to observe the Charter of the United Nations and international law. 48. France stated that the bombing of civilians, the targeting of humanitarian actors and hospitals and the use of famine as a weapon by the Syrian Arab Republic and its allies could constitute war crimes. 49. Pakistan encouraged the Syrian Arab Republic to continue implementing the recommendations arising from the universal periodic review. It remained concerned about the violence and the human rights abuses being committed by all parties to the conflict. 50. Portugal was concerned about the human rights and international humanitarian law violations and about the verified cases of recruitment and use of children in hostilities and of child abduction. 51. The Republic of Korea regretted the disgraceful human rights violations carried out by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the killing, arbitrary detention, torture, summary execution of and sexual violence committed against the Syrian population. 52. The Russian Federation said that the Syrian Arab Republic had been tackling humanitarian problems and providing services. In those circumstances, the Government in Damascus should continue to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. 53. Rwanda reminded the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic of its responsibility to protect its population and condemned the widespread and systematic violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. 54. Sierra Leone encouraged the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to make more efforts to stop trafficking and end sexual violence and slavery. All parties must cease air strikes to enable humanitarian assistance to reach those in need. It emphasized that international humanitarian norms must be respected. 55. Singapore was concerned about the humanitarian crisis and urged the Government to do its utmost to alleviate the impact of the conflict and uphold the human rights of Syrians, particularly women, children and the elderly. 56. Slovenia was gravely concerned at the continuing reports of human rights violations against the most vulnerable groups and at the cycle of violence and loss of human life. 57. Spain welcomed the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic and appreciated its involvement in the universal periodic review. 8