A/HRC/13/7 the advancement of women. A tripartite technical committee had prepared a study on the reconciliation of work and family/private life in 2009 which provided recommendations for measures. 20. The delegation highlighted the establishment of the Women’s Multicultural Centre, which aimed at bringing together women from all communities in Cyprus in the promotion of the participation of women in the reconciliation and peace process, as well as mobilizing financial support for relevant bicommunal initiatives and activities. 21. Cyprus recalled that the law providing for the European Parliamentary elections enabled all Cypriot citizens to exercise their electoral rights. Turkish Cypriots had exercised that right in the European Parliamentary elections of 2004 and 2009. All relevant documentation was available both in Greek and Turkish, while Turkish-speaking staff were employed at the relevant polling stations. Turkish Cypriots were invited to enrol in the electoral list by paid announcements, in Turkish, in the media. 22. Cyprus indicated that free and accessible education at all levels was offered to all students, including Cypriots and children of migrants, irrespective of the status of their parents. Public educational institutions enrolled students without discrimination and without requiring either residence permits or other documentation. The Government would be withdrawing the 2004 Circular under which schools were expected to report to the immigration authorities. Education was compulsory until the age of 15, and primary and secondary schools operated in all towns and rural areas to safeguard equal access to different levels of education. Thus there were no boarding schools financed by the Government. 23. Public schools attended by more than two Turkish-speaking students operate as “zones of educational priority” on the basis of the policy of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Research has guided the Government in implementing programmes for the education of Turkish-speaking and non-native language-speaking students. The Turkish language is part of the national curriculum and is taught at the upper secondary and higher education levels. 24. In recognition of the special educational and cultural needs of its religious groups, Cyprus declared the Armenian and the Cypriot Maronite Arabic languages as meriting specific protection under the European Charter for the Protection of Regional and Minority Languages. To promote the preservation of the identity, culture and history of the Armenians, Maronites and Latins, respective schools are operating in all districts and students from these groups are subsidized by the State. 25. In relation to children with special educational needs, Cyprus stated that it fully implemented the principles of the 1994 Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action, which were embodied in special national legislation. Children with special needs were integrated in regular schools, which accommodated them with a child-centred pedagogy capable of meeting their individual needs. 26. Within the framework of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007), the Cyprus Family Planning Association, in cooperation with the Gay Liberation Movement of Cyprus, organized an awareness-raising campaign on sexual orientation. Discriminatory acts on the ground of sexual orientation are criminally punishable. 27. The delegation stressed that a major challenge faced is the constant influx of irregular immigrants, which has placed pressure on financial and human resources. There are several ongoing integration programmes for refugees, including orientation programmes, vocational training and free Greek language classes. Cyprus immigration and asylum policy is based on the Aliens and Immigration Law and the Refugee Law. Thirdcountry nationals come to Cyprus with a visa to work for a specific employer in a specific 5