A/HRC/19/2 634. The General Arab Women Federation noted that violence was leaving thousands of people dead, wounded and traumatized, with dramatic effects on women and children. The media had played an unprecedented role in misinforming and blocking efforts for dialogue. Economic sanctions were also punishing the population. The Syrian Arab Republic was hosting a million refugees from Iraq, who had been given free access to all basic services. The Federation considered that criminal acts did not help to provide a solution, and that the conflict could only be resolved by peaceful means. It called for a comprehensive process of national dialogue, and mechanisms to end the arming, funding and training of insurgent groups. It called for a lifting of all sanctions imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic, and urged the Government to create a climate of trust that would allow for the implementation of the new Constitution and reforms. 635. Amnesty International noted that the authorities had accepted recommendations to guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, opinion and assembly; to end conflict and violence and find a peaceful political solution; and to investigate alleged cases of violence and deaths. It observed that these commitments appeared cynical and insincere, given the situation that prevailed. Amnesty International maintained that some of the violations by the authorities amounted to crimes against humanity. It had received the names of almost 7,000 people who had been killed or died in connection with the protests since March 2011. Many had been shot by members of the security forces or died in custody. Thousands had been arrested, and many had been held incommunicado and subjected to torture. More recently, civilian areas had been attacked with tanks, helicopters, rockets and artillery fire. Amnesty International cautioned against proceeding with this review in a routine manner. 636. CIVICUS and the Arab NGO Network for Development noted that, since the Syrian forces had invaded a number of neighbourhoods with heavy weapons on 3 February 2012, widespread destruction and death had resulted, with a particularly heavy impact on women and children. Such essential services as water, phone and electricity had been cut, and access to medical services and humanitarian assistance was blocked. The authorities had even blown up a bridge that people had used to take refuge in Lebanon. Many areas and cities, such as Homs and Hama, had suffered a real catastrophe. The Syrian Arab Republic had witnessed a great revolution; in order for negotiations to take place, the Government had to give up power peacefully so that a State based on human rights could be built. Access to the Syrian Arab Republic should be allowed and the army withdrawn from the streets. 637. Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme quoted Victor Hugo by stating that “to remain silent in the face of crime is to participate in crime”. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 638. The Syrian Arab Republic thanked the delegations that had made constructive statements and suggestions, as well as the members of the troika and the secretariat who had contributed to the adoption of the report. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 639. The review of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was held on 7 October 2011 in conformity with all relevant provisions contained in Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, and was based on the following documents: (a) The national report submitted by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in accordance with the annex to Council resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/12/VEN/1 and A/HRC/WG.6/12/VEN/1/Corr.1); (b) The compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/12/VEN/2); GE.13-14768 229