A/HRC/40/22 Persons Unit had initiated an investigation, and that the investigation concerning Andreas Varnava was nearing completion.3 19. On 20 September 2018, the Ministers’ Deputies of the Council of Europe expressed deep regret that Turkey had decided not to participate in the discussions, and called on Turkey to cooperate with the Committee.4 20. The Ministers’ Deputies continued to insist on the unconditional obligation of Turkey to pay the just satisfaction awarded by the European Court of Human Rights, without further delay, in decisions adopted in December 2017 and in March, June and September 2018. 5 B. Non-discrimination 21. According to article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Article 7 provides that all are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. 6 Furthermore, all are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of the Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination. 22. The division of Cyprus and its ongoing effects have contributed to challenges to the full realization by all persons of the rights to equality and non-discrimination. Many people were internally displaced, including Greek Cypriots who had to move to the south of the island and Turkish Cypriots who had to move to the north of the island, as well as their descendants. In addition, there are a number of other groups who may be vulnerable to discrimination. 23. The Secretary-General has noted several incidents during the reporting period that highlight ongoing tensions in intercommunal relations. They include the decision of local authorities in the north of the island to open a beach in the Famagusta area only to Turkish Cypriots and Turkish nationals, which resulted in protests by civil society activists from both communities (S/2018/919, para. 4). Prosecutions are still ongoing in the 11 cases against the Greek Cypriot individuals accused of attacking vehicles belonging to Turkish Cypriots on 18 November 2015. Thus far, one of the individuals has received a suspended sentence of four months in prison. Furthermore, divergent school curricula and rhetoric in the media have reinforced parallel narratives across generations (S/2018/676, paras. 25 and 57). 24. With respect to particular groups who are vulnerable to discrimination, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women expressed concern about the situation of certain women and girls, including those from the Turkish Cypriot community and other minority groups such as the Roma. In particular, it was concerned that they faced language barriers when claiming their rights, had limited access to justice, faced difficulties in accessing high-quality education and had limited access to the labour market (CEDAW/C/CYP/CO/8, paras. 16, 34 and 36). The Committee recommended that the State party institutionalize and facilitate women’s access to accessible and responsive legal aid (para. 17). The Committee also recommended that the State party adopt measures to combat discrimination, to achieve substantive equality between women and men, to accelerate the equal participation of disadvantaged groups of women and girls in the labour market, 3 4 5 6 Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, decisions adopted at the 1318th meeting on 5–7 June 2018 (CM/Del/Dec(2018)1318/H46-24) on Cyprus v. Turkey. Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, decisions adopted at the 1324th meeting on 18–20 September 2018 (CM/Del/Dec(2018)1324/H46-23) on Varnava and Others v. Turkey. Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, decisions adopted at the 1302nd meeting on 5–7 December 2017 (CM/Del/Dec(2017)1302/H46-34) on Varnava and Others v. Turkey and (CM/Del/Dec(2017)1302/H46-35) on Xenides-Arestis group v. Turkey; decisions adopted at the 1310th meeting on 13–15 March 2018 (CM/Del/Dec(2018)1310/H46-22) on Varnava and Others v. Turkey; decisions adopted at the 1318th meeting on 5–7 June 2018 (CM/Del/Dec(2018)1318/H46-24) on Cyprus v. Turkey; decisions adopted at the 1324th meeting on 18–20 September 2018 (CM/Del/Dec(2018)1324/H46-23) on Varnava and Others v. Turkey. See also the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, art. 26. 5