A/HRC/25/46 highlighting measures that it had taken to respond to the impact of the conflict on children, including education for displaced children and the rebuilding of damaged schools. The Syrian Government adopted a series of legislative reforms, including Law No. 11.2013 which criminalized all forms of recruitment and use of children under the age of 18 by armed forces and armed groups, including taking part in direct combat, carrying and transporting weapons or equipment or ammunition, planting explosives, standing at checkpoints or carrying out surveillance or reconnaissance, acting as a distraction or human shield, or assisting or serving the perpetrators in any way or form. The law entered into force on 30 June 2013. The same law increased the sentence for the crime of rape against a girl under the age of 15. On 2 April 2013, the Government criminalized the abduction and kidnapping of individuals in the context of the crisis by means of legislative decree 20/2013. 43. The Special Representative also initiated contacts with Free Syrian Army commanders operating in the governorate of Rif Dimasqh and in Homs during her visit. C. Regional visit to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey 44. In July 2013, the Special Representative was invited to visit Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey to take stock of the security and humanitarian challenges presented by the inflow of refugees into neighbouring countries, and the overall regional impact of the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic. In all of the four neighbouring countries visited, the number of Syrians in urban areas has already exceeded the number in camps, with social services capacity reaching critical levels, and increased pressure on host communities. The Special Representative commends the efforts of host governments that have opened their borders to civilians leaving the Syrian Arab Republic and have provided life-saving assistance, and encourages the international community to continue to support such efforts. 45. Also of concern was the situation of Palestinians who have been forced to seek refuge in neighbouring countries after decades of asylum in the Syrian Arab Republic. This burden on the already overstretched Palestinian refugee programmes should not be neglected, and the Special Representative is working closely with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to ensure that children are protected and their rights are respected. 46. In the Syrian Arab Republic, where the multiplicity of armed groups in some areas of the country has further complicated humanitarian access as well as the overall protection of children, the Special Representative continued to engage in dialogue with the parties to end grave violations. She called for comprehensive implementation of the new legislation, and its application without discrimination to all parties to conflict. Furthermore, she advocated with the Government to establish a formal ministerial coordination mechanism to prevent and respond to violations against children, and to facilitate the sharing – within the Syrian Government and with the United Nations – of information on grave violations. The release of children arbitrarily detained for their alleged association with armed opposition groups was also discussed with Government representatives from various ministries. Since then, the Special Representative has received no information on any action taken by the Syrian Government regarding children detained for alleged association with armed groups. 47. In her interactions with representatives of the Free Syrian Army, the Special Representative strongly advocated that they fully respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by putting an immediate end to grave violations against children, take steps to protect children from the impact of military operations, and 10