A/HRC/13/7 50. Spain welcomed the possibility of Cyprus ratifying OP-CRC-AC and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPD) and its Optional Protocol. Spain enquired about its intention to access and ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR). Noting the social awareness generated by cases of sexual abuse of migrant women in situations of inequality regarding salaries, and highlighting the special attention given to resolving that problem, Spain asked Cyprus to explain the measures taken to improve the situation. It asked Cyprus how it could moderate the number of requests for asylum that it received and to explain the measures to reduce the time that asylum-seekers had to wait for a final decision on their requests. Spain made a recommendation. 51. Australia noted that the 2009 report on the question of human rights in Cyprus highlighted the consequences the division had in relation to human rights. It hoped, however, that that situation could be resolved through the renewed round of direct negotiations being conducted by the leaders of the two Cypriot communities with the assistance of the good offices mission of the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser. Australia noted that the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights had welcomed the anti-trafficking legislation enacted in 2007 creating a national mechanism of cooperation for the identification and protection of the victims of human trafficking. It noted that concerns remained about the extent of trafficking in women for sexual exploitation. Australia made a number of recommendations. 52. France welcomed the discontinuation of the “artist” visa policy that had favoured trafficking in women for sexual exploitation. It wished to hear more, however, about other measures adopted to deal with trafficking in human beings, particularly women, and sexual exploitation. It further asked whether those measures had been effective. France also asked Cyprus how it had reacted to the recommendations made by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to adapt its national human rights institution to conformity with the Paris Principles and provide it with sufficient financial resources. France made recommendations. 53. Norway welcomed the strong commitment expressed to combat gender discrimination, and appreciated that the National Action Plan on Gender Equality took a comprehensive approach on gender equality issues. It noted that wage differentials were partly due to gender stereotyping and overrepresentation of women in non-skilled occupations and low-scale sectors, and asked what concrete actions had been introduced or are planned to reduce the gender wage gap. Norway referred to the Government’s revision of criteria for the use of artist work permits for women from non-European Union countries working in the cabaret industry, and asked for information on the effects of that decision on the combating of trafficking in women. It noted that children of women with “displaced person” status were not entitled to a refugee identity card or the benefits deriving from the card. Norway made recommendations. 54. Chile noted the numerous measures and policies adopted by Cyprus in different areas with a view to improving the protection and promotion of human rights and encouraged their continuation. Chile made recommendations regarding international human rights mechanisms, the problem posed by the high numbers of asylum-seekers and the exhumation, identification and return of missing persons. 55. Germany requested more information on how Cyprus was dealing with the issue of gender equality, as it was mentioned in the report and by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. It expressed concerns about the pervasiveness of patriarchal attitudes, deep-rooted traditional social prejudices and stereotyped attitudes as a major obstacle to the advancement of women and as a root cause of their disadvantaged position, including in the labour market. 10