A/HRC/RES/40/17
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
12 April 2019
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Fortieth session
25 February–22 March 2019
Agenda item 4
Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council
on 22 March 2019
40/17.
The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic
The Human Rights Council,
Guided by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations,
Reaffirming its previous resolutions on the Syrian Arab Republic,
Reaffirming also its strong commitment to the full respect of the sovereignty,
independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic,
Demanding that the Syrian authorities meet their responsibility to protect the Syrian
population and to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of all persons within its
jurisdiction,
Condemning the grave situation of human rights across the Syrian Arab Republic,
Condemning also the indiscriminate or deliberate targeting of civilians in violation of
international humanitarian law, and recalling the obligation of all parties to the conflict to
take all feasible precautions to avoid, and in any event minimize, harm to civilians and
civilian objects, such as medical facilities and schools, including by ceasing their use for
military purposes, and the prohibition on attacking, removing, destroying or rendering
useless objects or areas indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, including
drinking water installations, supplies, irrigation works and agricultural areas for the
production of foodstuffs and crops,
Expressing deep concern at the situation of women, children and persons with
disabilities, especially those who are internally displaced, who remain among the most
vulnerable to violence and abuse,
Reiterating that the only sustainable solution to the current conflict in the Syrian Arab
Republic is through an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process under the
auspices of the United Nations, including with the equal voice and full and meaningful
participation of women in all efforts and decision-making, and in accordance with the Geneva
communiqué of 30 June 2012 and Security Council resolutions 2118 (2013) of 27 September
2013 and 2254 (2015) of 18 December 2015, with a view to establishing credible, inclusive
and non-sectarian governance and supporting the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for
Syria in his efforts towards this end,
Recalling Security Council resolution 2336 (2016) of 31 December 2016, stressing
the continuing need to respect the de-escalation area of Idlib, acknowledging the signing by
GE.19-06240(E)