A/HRC/34/15 despite the desperate need and their good will. Each of these limitations had resulted from the lack of a political solution, but also created barriers to the realization of such a solution.3 12. The Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights also referred to her experiences during her visit, for example standing in a crumbling church in the north where animal excrement was mingled with rubbish on the floor, while children played outside under a dangerously weak arch, or having seen, in a mosque in the south, copies of the Koran damaged by water used to put out the fire of an arson attack, reportedly carried out by extremists. The Special Rapporteur nonetheless also spoke with Greek Cypriots who had wept over the arson attack on a mosque in the south and who were working to repair the damage done; and she met with Turkish Cypriots fighting for the rights of the Greek Cypriots formerly from their city to have free access to its religious sites, and trying to repair as many sites as possible. She also noted that some Muslim and Christian religious leaders were courageously taking part in the religious services and occasions of others, actions that gave her hope. The Special Rapporteur concluded that what Cypriots collectively and their authorities chose to do with the sometimes challenging but very fruitful intersections would shape the cultural rights of all those who would inhabit the island for years to come. If positive, open and forward-looking choices were made, as called for by the Special Rapporteur, they could contribute to a speedier solution, strengthen the protection of human rights and even set an important example for the entire world in turbulent times.4 III. Specific human rights concerns 13. The persisting division of Cyprus continues to have consequences on human rights protection throughout the whole island, including 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. In addition, it is important that a gender perspective be adopted when negotiating and implementing peace agreements (see paras. 51 – 56 below). A. Right to life and the question of missing persons 14. According to article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Furthermore, article 1 of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance provides that any act of enforced disappearance is an offence to human dignity, placing the persons subjected thereto outside the protection of the law and inflicting severe suffering on them and their families. Any act of enforced disappearance also violates or constitutes a grave threat to the right to life. 15. In its resolution 2300 (2016), the Security Council noted with regret that the two sides were withholding access to the remaining minefields in the buffer zone, while also noting the continued danger posed by mines in Cyprus, and the proposals, discussions and positive initiatives on demining. It urged rapid agreement on facilitating the recommencement of demining operations and clearance of the remaining minefields. The Council called upon both sides to allow access to deminers and to facilitate the removal of 3 4 Ibid. Ibid. 5