A/HRC/25/21 exercised significant control over territory and population, non-State actors were obliged to respect international human rights.60 56. In its general recommendation No. 30, the Committee also noted that the full participation and involvement of women in formal peacemaking and post-conflict reconstruction and socioeconomic development were often not realized on account of deeply entrenched stereotypes, reflected in the traditionally male leadership of State and non-State groups, which excluded women from all aspects of decision-making, in addition to gender-based violence and other forms of discrimination against women. In this context, the Committee recommended that States parties ensure that women, civil society organizations focused on women’s issues and representatives of civil society were included equally in all peace negotiations and post-conflict rebuilding and reconstruction efforts.61 57. The Gender Advisory Team, a group of academics and civil society activists from both sides of the divide working on issues of gender equality from a peace-building perspective, launched a report on 6 December 2012 entitled “Women’s Peace in Cyprus”. The report comprised an overview of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and the contributions made by the Gender Advisory Team since 2009, including recommendations and explanatory notes on the issues of governance and power-sharing, citizenship rights, property rights, and economic rights. Of these recommendations, the first three have already been presented to the negotiators and the Office of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus. The Gender Advisory Team was encouraged by the efforts made by the negotiating teams to explore ways in which the work on mainstreaming gender equality could take effect.62 IV. Conclusions 58. During the period under review, there were some positive developments on the question of human rights in Cyprus, including measures taken to protect cultural heritage sites on both sides of the island, the launch of the first bicommunal Internet broadcasting facility, an improved climate of interreligious communication and steps to allow Greek Orthodox and Muslim religious leaders to cross the Green Line that divides the island. 59. The persisting division of the island continues, however, to be an obstacle to the full enjoyment in mutual confidence by the whole population of Cyprus of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. These include the right to life and the question of missing persons, the principle of non-discrimination, freedom of movement, property rights, freedom of religion and cultural rights, freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to education. 60. Interreligious communication and cooperation on the whole island might, it is hoped, help to create solid ground on which to address the question of human rights in Cyprus, which could also have a positive impact on the reconciliation process as a whole. 61. It is hoped that the efforts to negotiate and achieve a comprehensive settlement of the protracted conflict in Cyprus will ultimately open avenues to improve the human rights situation on the island. Addressing the underlying human rights issues and causes should be an increasingly important part of peacekeeping efforts, and also 60 61 62 16 See CEDAW/C/GC/30, paras. 13-16. Ibid., paras. 43 and 46. See www.gat1325.org/#!publications/c21kz.