A/HRC/4/59 page 2 Annex REPORT OF THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE QUESTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN CYPRUS I. OVERVIEW 1. As of December 2006, Cyprus remained 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. By resolution 1728 (2006) of 15 December 2006, the Security Council decided to extend the mandate for a further period ending 15 June 2007. II. HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS 2. The persisting division of Cyprus has consequences in relation to a number of human rights issues on the whole island, including freedom of movement, human trafficking activities, discrimination, property rights, human rights pertaining to the question of missing persons, the right to education and freedom of religion. 3. With regard to freedom of movement, the easing of restrictions by the Turkish Cypriot authorities in 2003 has resulted in approximately 12 million crossings since then.1 4. In August 2005 the Green Line Regulation was amended by the European Union to include a provision for three additional crossing points in the western part of the island, bringing the total number to seven. However, agreements have yet to be reached on the modalities of opening four of them. The opening of a crossing at Ledra Street in the old town of Nicosia, currently under discussion, would greatly facilitate the bringing together of the two communities. 5. Restrictions on freedom of movement persist in particular with regard to the military zones in the northern part of the island. Access to a number of villages located in these zones is restricted. The Maronite village of Ayia Marina remains completely inaccessible, while access to Asomatos remains severely limited. Restrictions on visitors to these villages also apply to relatives of the inhabitants. In the case of Ayia Marina, its original inhabitants have, to date, not been able to visit their village since 1974. 6. Despite the fact that the opening of the crossing points has allowed individuals from either side to meet freely, the United Nations umbrella remains important for sensitive humanitarian and other meetings. There has been a disturbing trend with regard to the implementation of policies that impinge on the ability of organizations and individuals to carry out activities and projects designed to contribute to bicommunal contacts and cooperation throughout the island. As a result, the United Nations, in particular the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has been hampered in the implementation of projects 1 The figure does not include crossings in Pergamos since 1 September 2006.