On 29 May 2013 the UN Human Rights Council passed Resolution 23/1 on the situation in Syria and al-Qusayr. Resolution 23/1 strongly condemns all violations of international humanitarian law and the widespread and systematic gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities and the government-affiliated militias, such as those violations involving the regime’s use of ballistic missiles and other heavy weapons against civilians, including against the people of al-Qusayr. The resolution condemns violence by all parties and the involvement of foreign combatants. Resolution 23/1 also demands that the Syrian authorities allow free and unimpeded access by the UN and humanitarian agencies to all civilians affected by the violence, especially in al-Qusayr, and calls upon the authorities to meet their responsibility to protect the Syrian population.