A/HRC/13/24 Annex Report of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the question of human rights in Cyprus I. Overview 1. As of December 2009, Cyprus remains divided, with a buffer zone maintained by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The UNFICYP mandate, which dates back to 1964, has been extended by successive Security Council resolutions. In resolution 1898 (2009) of 14 December 2009, the Security Council decided to extend the mandate for a further period ending 15 June 2010. 2. As mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General on his mission of good offices in Cyprus (S/2009/610), the process of full-fledged negotiations under United Nations auspices aimed at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem was formally launched on 3 September 2008. In early August 2009, the first phase of discussions of six chapters, namely governance and power-sharing, property, European Union matters, economic matters, territory, and security and guarantees, was concluded. The second phase began on 11 September 2009, focusing in particular on governance and power-sharing, the election of the executive, federal competencies and external relations.1 3. Four technical committees set up in the areas of crime and criminal matters, cultural heritage, health, and environment have met regularly and made some progress in implementing the 23 confidence-building measures agreed upon by the parties during the preparatory phase of the talks, aimed at improving the daily life of Cypriots across the entire island.2 4. In his May 2009 report on UNFICYP, the Secretary-General reported that the mission continued to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the communities, including to Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the northern part of the island.3 In his November 2009 report, the Secretary-General stated that assistance continues to be sought from UNFICYP in addressing day-to-day issues arising from the division of the island, including in relation to educational matters, the transfer of deceased individuals, and commemorative, religious and sociocultural gatherings.4 5. UNFICYP has continued its efforts aimed at confidence-building between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in the village of Pyla in the buffer zone. In cooperation with an international non-governmental organization, the mission facilitated six bicommunal events involving children from Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot schools in Pyla. The planning process for a new programme of bicommunal activities for children was suspended in the absence of agreement between the two sides.5 1 2 3 4 5 2 Report of the Secretary-General on his mission of good offices in Cyprus (S/2009/610), paras. 12 and 13. Ibid., para. 15. Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cyprus (S/2009/248), para. 31. Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cyprus (S/2009/609), para. 12. Ibid., para. 20. GE.10-11644