A/HRC/23/58 24 failed to take appropriate disciplinary steps and, in most cases, been directly involved in the commission of crimes. VI. Conclusions and recommendations 157. There is a human cost to the political impasse that has come to characterize the response of the international community to the war in the Syrian Arab Republic. The desperation of the parties to the conflict has resulted in new levels of cruelty and brutality, bolstered by an increase in the availability of weapons. Increased arms transfers hurt the prospect of a political settlement to the conflict, fuel the multiplication of armed actors at the national and regional levels and have devastating consequences for civilians. 158. The erosion of the State and of political ...