This briefing on sieges is the first in a series of thematic briefings by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which focuses on reported violations inside the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria). OHCHR has no access to Syria yet, but continues to gather information on violations of international human rights and humanitarian law violations from neighbouring countries. This briefing is primarily based on information collected by OHCHR between April 2013 and 20 January 2014 and does not cover developments thereafter.