A/HRC/13/56 during the adoption of its report by the Working Group had led to a difficult situation that the Council should avoid in future. 318. Greece congratulated Cyprus on having participated very constructively at all stages of the universal periodic review and for its detailed responses, accepting all recommendations, with one exception. Greece regretted that, during the sixth Working Group session, the very existence of the State under review had been questioned, along with its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity. Greece added that this question lay outside Council resolution 5/1 stipulating the principles and objectives of the universal periodic review. It firmly considered that the universal periodic review was a very important Council mechanism that should focus on human rights issues. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 319. Interfaith International hoped that the universal periodic review would be the opportunity to lay the foundations for unification and reconciliation among the various families of the island. Interfaith International was surprised at the absence of Cyprus during the adoption of the report of the Working Group. Nevertheless, it considered that the presence of the delegation during the adoption of the outcome in the Council gave rise to hope for fresh dynamics in the social and political dialogue in Cyprus, in order to build true rule of law based upon fundamental freedoms. Interfaith International encouraged Cyprus to set up favourable conditions for the removal of restrictive measures, which would make it possible for the faithful to exercise their religious freedom and to visit places of pilgrimage annually, and to combat trafficking in women by setting up a mechanism for the reintegration of victims in social and economic life. 320. The European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association commended Cyprus for accepting the recommendation to strengthen existing non-discrimination legislation and to take all necessary measures to prevent discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, as well as for the law preventing discrimination of all vulnerable groups. It highlighted the research demonstrating that homophobic attitudes prevailed, and that lesbians, gays, bisexual and transsexuals were not only marginalized but treated as outcasts. It asked what steps were planned to give effect to the recommendation relating to education and awareness-raising campaigns for the general public and law enforcement officials. It also stated that, while recognizing that the northern part of the island fell outside the effective control of the Government, it reminded the Council that homosexual acts were still criminalized there, and called upon the Council, the Government and all concerned to work together to end this practice. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 321. Cyprus welcomed the comments made by States and international organizations, which would all be duly taken into consideration. The delegation thanked the States that had contributed to the review process with genuine human rights recommendations, and expressed its commitment to work for their implementation. In closing, Cyprus clarified that it had taken note of the four recommendations referred to in section E of the addendum for the time being. Dominican Republic 322. The review of the Dominican Republic was held on 1 December 2009 in conformity with all the relevant provisions contained in Council resolution 5/1, and was based on the following documents: (a) The national report submitted by Dominican Republic in accordance with the annex to Council resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/6/DOM/1); 126