A/HRC/RES/23/26 10. Strongly condemns the intervention of all foreign combatants in the Syrian Arab Republic, including those fighting on behalf of the regime and most recently Hizbullah, and expresses deep concern that their involvement further exacerbates the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation, which has a serious negative impact on the region; 11. Stresses the imperative need to follow up on the report of the commission of inquiry and to conduct a prompt and transparent independent international investigation into all abuses and all violations of international law committed by all parties, with a view to hold to account those responsible for violations and abuses, including those that may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes; 12. Calls upon all parties to respect fully international law applicable to the rights and protection of women and girls, and to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, and also calls for the involvement of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes; 13. Notes with grave concern that violations of the rights of the child are being committed in the Syrian Arab Republic, in violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol thereto on the involvement of children in armed conflict to which the Syrian Arab Republic is a party, and urgently calls for refraining from recruiting and involving children in the conduct of hostilities; 14. Encourages members of the international community to ensure that there is no impunity for such violations or abuses, and stresses that the Syrian authorities have failed to prosecute alleged perpetrators of serious violations or abuses that may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity; 15. Reaffirms that the Syrian people, on the basis of broad, inclusive and credible consultations, should determine, within the framework provided by international law, the process and mechanisms to achieve justice, reconciliation, truth and accountability for gross violations, as well as reparations and effective remedies for victims, while underlining the relevance of referrals to the appropriate international criminal justice mechanism under appropriate circumstances; 16. Demands that the Syrian authorities meet their responsibility to protect the Syrian population; 17. Deplores the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the failure to ensure the safe and timely provision of humanitarian assistance to all areas affected by the fighting; 18. Expresses deep concern at the growing number of refugees and internally displaced persons fleeing the violence, and welcomes the efforts by neighbouring countries to host Syrian refugees, while acknowledging the socioeconomic consequences of the presence of large-scale refugee populations in these countries; 19. Notes the request made by the General Assembly to the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons to submit a written report on the very dire situation of internally displaced persons in the Syrian Arab Republic,2 and invites the Special Rapporteur to present that report to the Council at its twenty-fourth session; 2 General Assembly resolution 67/262, para. 21. 3