A/HRC/4/59
page 5
regularly informed of progress achieved. However, no information has been received regarding
the additional measures required, since the present mandate of CMP does not allow it to address
all the aspects of such “effective investigations”.
17.
In relation to the right to education, four additional teachers were assigned for the Greek
Cypriot secondary school in Rizokarpasso in the north, before the beginning of the academic
year in September 2006. The Greek Cypriot authorities still object to textbooks being subjected
to Turkish Cypriot “inspection”. It should be noted that the Turkish Cypriot side has revised its
history books in accordance with the Council of Europe principles to remove any offensive
references, while to date, the Greek Cypriot side has yet to do so.3
18.
Turkish Cypriot students continue to be confronted with lack of access to the Erasmus,
Socrates and Bologna processes or other European scholarship programmes. The issue has been
linked to the non-recognition of Turkish Cypriot universities. The right to education is a
fundamental human right, and the current situation prevents the free movement of students and
staff and constrains academic freedom, the exchange of ideas and international competition.
19.
Regarding the education of Turkish Cypriot children in the south, UNFICYP continued
its discussions with the Greek Cypriot authorities, initiated in March 2005, regarding the
establishment of a Turkish-language primary school in Limassol, which is not yet operational.
The Greek Cypriot authorities committed themselves in March of 2005 (via a letter from the
President’s office to the UNFICYP Chief of Mission), and again in September 2005 (in a public
statement of the Permanent Representative in New York), to opening a school in the
Turkish-language medium for the Turkish Cypriot community in Limassol. Additionally, a
Republic of Cyprus Council of Ministers decision in 2005 stipulated that a separate school be
established for the Turkish Cypriot community in Limassol. This decision is still to be
implemented. At its request, UNFICYP met with the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Trade Union
on that subject and other issues related to the education of Turkish Cypriot schoolchildren in the
south, including curricula and textbooks. The formal proceedings of a lawsuit filed by the
Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Trade Union with the Supreme Court to guarantee Turkish Cypriots
the right to an education in their mother tongue began on 5 May 2006 and have been
adjourned several times, most recently on 10 November 2006. A new trial date has been set
for 6 February 2007.
20.
With regard to freedom of movement and worship, the Greek Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots were able in 2006 to access places of worship and participate in pilgrimages and
religious events. UNFICYP assisted in arranging six visits by Greek Cypriots and Maronites to
the north, and a commemorative event by Turkish Cypriots inside and outside the buffer zone.
On 10 and 11 June, in the northern part of the island, 800 Greek Cypriots attended services at
Saint Barnabas Church near Famagusta, and on 23 July, for the first time since 1974,
300 Maronites visited the Prophet Elias Monastery in the village of Saint Marina. On 1
and 2 September, 900 Greek Cypriots attended the annual religious services at Saint Mamas
3
Council of Europe CM Recommendation (2001) 15 on History teaching in 21st century in
Europe adopted by the CM on 31 October 2001.
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