A/HRC/10/37 page 3 of Ayia Marina and Asomatos. Restrictions of movement imposed upon UNFICYP by the Turkish forces reportedly have a negative impact on the delivery of its mandated humanitarian tasks in the northern part of the island.4 5. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including grass-roots organizations, continue to lead the organization and implementation of bicommunal activities, often with the support of donor organizations. They are also playing an important role in the renewed peace process, with representatives of civil society from both communities appointed to a number of the technical committees which seek to find immediate solutions to everyday problems arising from the division of the island. In an effort to reduce the bureaucratic obstacles hampering the work of NGOs, as noted by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg in a report on his recent visit to the Republic of Cyprus, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus has engaged in a process to explore the reform of the legal framework in which NGOs operate.5 Although a process still to be completed, this has involved learning from the good practices of other countries, promoting capacity-building for civil servants and civil society organizations (CSOs), and creating dialogue amongst interested stakeholders on the reforms that need to take place. A Joint Cross-sector Advisory/Working Group has also been established, which has met regularly during the year under the auspices of the Planning Bureau, with representatives from both the Government and CSOs/NGOs.6 6. With regard to CSOs operating in the north of the island, although the procedure for establishing civil society organizations is reportedly simple and inexpensive, registration is not voluntary, and all categories of such organizations are obliged to register themselves. Furthermore, the law applied to CSOs in the northern part of Cyprus would appear to restrict membership in such organizations.7 Having encountered difficulties in forming registered legal platforms and networks due to the lack of necessary legal infrastructure, civil society organizations in the north have themselves submitted a new draft law for associations, in an attempt to bring the current regulation in line with international standards and best practices. The European Union (EU) has also launched its Cypriot Civil Society in Action II programme, a grant scheme which aims to strengthen and develop a more vibrant civil society in the Turkish Cypriot community and to foster trust, dialogue and cooperation between the two communities. 4 Ibid., paras. 21 and 46. 5 Council of Europe, CommDH(2008)36, para. 54. 6 Information received from the United Nations Development Programme, Action for Cooperation and Trust in Cyprus. 7 Civil society organizations in the northern part of Cyprus are governed by the “Law on unions and associations of the Turkish Communal Chamber (No. 6/1961)”, which was amended on 22 January 1991 by the “Amendment on the Law on unions and associations of the Turkish Communal Chamber”. Article 1 reads: “All types of unions, associations and such organizations that are formed by members who are citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, for a purpose other than profit making, are subject to this law.” (Information received from the Management Centre of the Mediterranean.)