Ali Al Shihabi, a 57-year-old Palestinian writer and former UNRWA worker, was arrested on 17 December 2012 by the Military Intelligence's Palestine branch near Al Yarmouk Refugee Camp. It was not the first time that the man's fundamental right to liberty and security of person was breached by the Syrian authorities. Following the writing of articles and books over the past decade, the Syrian authorities summoned him several times. Back then, he was subjected to several months of disappearance, arbitrary detention as well as severe torture.

On 11 March 2013, the UN Human Rights Council held an interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, which presented its report as well as an oral update to the Council. Mr Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the Chairperson of the Commission, highlighted the fundamental aspects of the report published on 18 February 2013. 

The latest report of the UN Commission of Inquiry, released on 5 February 2013, found that the Syrian government forces and affiliated militia as well as armed opposition groups are both responsible for war crimes committed over the course of the two-year-old conflict. In addition, it underlines that the testimonies collected detail grave human rights violations and war crimes against humanity and reiterates that "[...] ensuring the accountability of all parties for crimes committed is imperative." In reference to the increasing number of Syrian refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, the report also speaks of a 'humanitarian crisis.'