Human Rights Council resolution on the continuing serious deterioration of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Syria October 2015
Summary of Resolution 30/10
1. Condemnations and Grave Violations:
Deterioration of the Situation: The Council condemns in the strongest terms the continued widespread and gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Syrian authorities and their affiliated militias.
Systematic Targeting of Civilians: The resolution deplores indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including the use of barrel bombs, aerial bombardment, shelling, and missiles, as well as the systematic use of torture and executions within detention facilities (based on evidence from the "Caesar" report).
Crimes by Terrorist Groups: The Council strongly condemns the violations committed by ISIS, Al-Nusra Front, and other terrorist groups, including the killing of civilians, targeting of religious and ethnic minorities, sexual violence, and the destruction of cultural heritage.
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: The Council expresses grave concern over the use of sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, and the egregious violations against children, including forced recruitment and the deprivation of education.
2. Demands for the Syrian Parties:
Protection of Civilians: The Council demands that the Syrian authorities fulfill their responsibility to protect the Syrian population and immediately cease all attacks against civilians.
Release of Detainees: It calls for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained persons, clarification of the fate of the missing, and granting international observers access to detention centers.
Humanitarian Access: The resolution demands safe and unhindered access for humanitarian and medical relief to all affected areas, particularly besieged locations, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions.
3. Accountability and Political Solution:
Ending Impunity: The Council emphasizes the necessity of holding accountable those responsible for crimes that may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, underscoring the critical role of international justice.
Support for the Commission of Inquiry: It deplores the regime's lack of cooperation with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry and renews its call to grant the commission full access to all Syrian territories.
Political Transition: The resolution reaffirms that the only solution to the crisis is an inclusive, Syrian-led political process based on the "Geneva Communiqué" and Security Council resolutions, leading to the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers.
4. Support for Refugees and Neighboring Countries:
International Responsibility: The Council urges the international community to increase financial support to host countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt) to assist them in addressing the growing social and economic burdens.
5. Voting Results:
Adoption: The resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 29 in favor, 6 against (Algeria, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Russian Federation, and Venezuela), and 12 abstentions.