A/HRC/30/48 “writing against the religion”. Harassment of media workers generates a climate of fear such that journalists have become self-censoring. 158. While global media attention focused on harrowing cases of abduction and execution of international journalists by ISIS, Syrian media workers continue to suffer at the hands of the terrorist group. Dozens, both foreign and Syrian, remain in captivity, detained and ill-treated because of their professional activities. 159. A media activist from Palmyra (Homs) explained how he was harassed and intimidated by members of ISIS only days following the capture of the city. Having refused to join ISIS, he was arrested and detained for approximately 15 days. His equipment was seized by the group. While in detention, he repeatedly assured his interrogators that he was reporting only violations committed by Government forces. Upon his release, he decided to leave Palmyra in fear of reprisals against him and his family. L. Academics 160. Academics in the Syrian Arab Republic have been the subject of threats and intimidation, leading many to flee the country. Respected in their communities as intellectuals, they are targeted on the basis of their actual or perceived allegiance to one or another of the warring parties. 161. In one instance, the 2011 detention of an academic critical of the Government was reported. On release, he fled the country. Investigations continue as to threats by unidentified armed groups to academics working in Government universities. Female academics have faced harassment on the combined basis of their work and their gender. 162. With academics fleeing the country, and universities, particularly in Aleppo and Damascus cities, being subjected to shelling and bombardments, the impact of the war on the Syrian Arab Republic’s higher education system, its scholars and its students will be felt for decades. M. Continuing investigations 163. Investigations continue into the impact of the conduct of the warring parties on other groups and communities, including but not limited to the elderly, persons with disabilities, those suffering from chronic illnesses, migrant workers and sexual minorities. 164. Sexual minorities have been targeted for execution by ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra. The Commission continues to investigate reports of ISIS fighters throwing gay men off high buildings, and their being beheaded by Jabhat Al-Nusra. IV. Conclusions and recommendations A. Conclusions 165. The plight of civilians cries out for immediate action to ensure their protection. The livelihood of the Syrian population is subverted daily by the increasingly internationalized nature of this non-international armed conflict, as well as the ferocity of confrontations at the ground level, compounded by the spread of extremism. 166. Violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, identified in this report through the pain and suffering of key groups, communities and 20