A/HRC/34/15 participation of women in the negotiations. Notably, in addition to the establishment of the Committee, both sides had increased the number of women directly involved in the talks, either as members of the negotiating teams or as members of the working groups of experts, often in leading positions. Those steps were testimony to the increasing awareness, in the context of the Cyprus peace process, of the importance of ensuring a greater gender perspective in the talks (ibid., para. 22). 56. UNFICYP, the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices and UNDP worked closely with the Technical Committee on Gender Equality during the period under review. As part of an ongoing series of gender-related panel discussions, the Committee hosted a panel discussion on how women made peacebuilding better on 10 March 2016 to mark International Women’s Day, with the facilitation of UNFICYP and the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices. The Committee also met with the Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women during her visit to Cyprus on 5 and 6 May 2016. The Regional Director encouraged women to participate actively in politics, peacebuilding and governance, and voiced her support for bicommunal cooperation on the preparation of an action plan for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) (S/2016/598, para. 28). IV. Conclusions 57. During the period under review, there were several positive developments with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights in Cyprus. They included progress in the search for and identification of the remains of missing persons; an encouraging level of interreligious communication and cooperation; the completion of several conservation works of cultural heritage sites on the whole island; and the ongoing work of the bicommunal committees on gender equality, on cultural heritage and on education. 58. While there was some positive progress on demining the remaining minefields, both sides have been encouraged to advance a more comprehensive approach to demining within and outside the buffer zone. The continued danger posed by minefields to the right to life illustrates the human rights implications of the protracted conflict in Cyprus. The persistent division of the island still hinders the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including with regard to 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. 59. Given the positive momentum surrounding the resumption of the talks and the commitment expressed by the leaders to work tirelessly to reach a comprehensive settlement of the question of Cyprus as soon as possible, it is hoped that those efforts will ultimately open avenues to improve the situation of human rights on the whole island. Addressing underlying and persisting human rights issues and concerns should underpin the political dialogue aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement. Ensuring adequate women’s participation and the consideration of gender-related issues in these discussions is essential. 60. A continuing strong, impartial and in-country human rights capacity will ensure that emerging issues from all communities are acknowledged and rapidly addressed. Further visits by special procedure mandate holders are encouraged, including on minority issues, the human rights of internally displaced persons, enforced or involuntary disappearances, and the right to education. It is also imperative that OHCHR and other relevant actors have access to the whole island and 15