On 24 September 2019 the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) passed Resolution 42/27 on the situation in Syria. Resolution 42/27 deplores the lack of cooperation by the Syrian authorities with the Commission of Inquiry. The resolution also reaffirms the importance of establishing appropriate processes and mechanisms to achieve justice, reconciliation, truth and accountability for gross violations and abuses of international law and welcomes the steps taken by member states to prosecute the most serious crimes under international law in national courts. Resolution 42/27 also demands that “the Syrian authorities meet their responsibility to protect the Syrian population” and that “the primary responsibility to protect the Syrian population lies with the Syrian authorities.”

The resolution was adopted by a vote of 27 in favor, 6 against and 13 abstentions.