A/HRC/25/21 34. On 6 June 2013, the Committee of Ministers’ Deputies of the Council of Europe, which supervises the execution of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, took note of the assessment of the questions regarding the property rights of enclaved persons and their heirs, as presented in an information document by the Secretariat of the Council of Europe,40 and decided to resume consideration of the matter at the latest at the Committee’s meeting in June 2014.41 E. Freedom of religion and cultural rights 35. According to article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.42 Furthermore, according to article 27, everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts as well as to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.43 36. During the period under review, UNFICYP facilitated 51 religious and commemorative events involving more than 12,000 individuals, which were either held in or required crossing of the buffer zone. It welcomed the decision made by the Greek Cypriot side in April 2013 to allow the transfer of new carpets from the north to the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque in Larnaca, although some restrictions to religious worship in the Mosque remained in place. The Greek Cypriot, Maronite and Armenian communities continued to conduct religious services in the north according to the practice of previous years, but no new sites were opened for worship.44 During the period under review, the Turkish Cypriot authorities did not approve several requests to hold religious services, for example at the Church of Saint George in Kyrenia, the Church of Ayia Marina in Kythrea, the Church of Saint George in Vatyli village, the Church of Panayia Pergaminiotissa in Akanthou and the Church of Panagia Chrysopolitissa in Acheritou. 37. During the interactive dialogue with the Human Rights Council on 5 March 2013, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief noted that the overall situation had clearly improved after the opening of the checkpoints in 2003, with positive implications also for the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief throughout the entire island. At the same time, he identified existing challenges for Christian minorities in the northern part, for Muslim minorities in the southern part and for other religious minorities outside the ambit of bicommunalism. He had been encouraged by recent initiatives towards enhancing interreligious communication with a view to cultivating relationships of trust and peaceful coexistence. 38. As a follow-up to his official visit to Cyprus in 2012, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief took part in the first interreligious round table in the United 40 41 42 43 44 See the memorandum prepared by the Council of Europe Department for the Execution of the judgments and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, Cyprus v. Turkey – Property rights of enclaved persons (CM/Inf/DH(2013)23). Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ Deputies, decisions adopted at the 1172nd meeting on 6 June 2013 (CM/Del/Dec(2013)1172) on the cases of Cyprus v. Turkey and Varnava and Others v. Turkey. See also International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, art. 18, and the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (General Assembly resolution 36/55). See also International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, art. 15. S/2013/392, para. 21. Information received from UNFICYP. 11