A/HRC/13/56 bearing in mind the limitations posed by European Union jurisdiction and competence on the matter. 301. The delegation of Cyprus noted that there were four recommendations referred to in section E of the above-mentioned document, which could neither be accepted nor rejected. With regard to the recommendation on the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, Cyprus reiterated the importance it attaches to the Convention. The competent authorities were currently evaluating the possible ramifications of its ratification on national legislation. Recommendations 25, 54 and 69 were not confined to the human rights perspective, but were rather linked to the overall political issue of Cyprus, and its comments were included in section E of the document. 302. Cyprus indicated having received all the recommendations with an open spirit and a genuine intention to engage in a meaningful internal evaluation. Through this process, it recognized that, despite the substantial progress achieved, additional and continuous effort was required, as reflected in the number of recommendations accepted. 303. In this context, Cyprus announced that (a) the instrument of ratification for the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict would be submitted within three months; (b) the instrument of ratification for the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, would be submitted within the next 18 months; (c) the Government undertook the commitment to submit all reports due to the human rights mechanisms within the next 24 months; and (d) within the next 24 months, Cyprus undertook to make its national human rights institution fully compatible with the Paris Principles, including its financial independence, as the relevant bill had to go through parliamentary procedures. 304. Cyprus reiterated that it had already ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture on 29 April 2009. 305. The delegation noted that the rights of children were of prime concern. The relevant monitoring mechanism of the Commissioner for Children’s Rights had been established in 2007, in full compliance with the Paris Principles and general comment No. 2 of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Its recommendations had been duly taken into consideration by the Government, which was committed to reviewing and improving its policies constantly. 306. The promotion of women’s rights and wider gender equality was a major priority. The first five-year national plan of action on gender equality incorporated a holistic approach to gender equality in addressing employment, education, decision-making, social rights, violence and gender stereotypes. This was made possible through close collaboration of all Government departments, local authorities, women’s and relevant non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and human rights mechanisms. A ministerial committee on gender equality had been set up to monitor its implementation. 307. With regard to human rights education and training, Cyprus announced that, within the framework of the annual work programme 2012 of the Fundamental Rights Agency, a series of actions under the title “Human rights assessment of curricula and teaching materials” would be undertaken. 308. In relation to domestic violence, Cyprus noted that the concerted actions of governmental and non-governmental agencies were based on the relevant law and on the manual of interdepartmental procedures, which was being revised. A five-year national plan of action was in the final stage of deliberation. Concerning cases of police misconduct, the Government was taking measures to comply fully with the standards set by the Council of Europe. Several mechanisms were already in place to investigate allegations of police 123

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