E/C.12/CYP/CO/6
2017 and to ensure its effective functioning thereafter. It recommends that the State
party take the steps necessary to remove the obstacles facing asylum seekers and
undocumented migrants in accessing health-care services.
Right to education
41.
The Committee is concerned that the definition of inclusive education provided for
in domestic laws is not fully compliant with international norms. It is also concerned that
children with disabilities still face difficulties in participating in inclusive education owing
to the insufficient level of reasonable accommodation provided to them. While welcoming
the establishment of a mechanism of early identification of disabilities, the Committee
remains concerned that the mechanism is not effective in identifying and supporting
children with disabilities at the earliest possible stage of development (arts. 13 and 14).
42.
The Committee recommends that the State party review the legal definition of
inclusive education with a view to bringing it into line with international norms. It
also recommends that the State party step up its efforts to ensure that all children
with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to fully participate in
inclusive education at all levels of education. It further recommends that the State
party improve the mechanism of early identification of disabilities to ensure that
children with disabilities get the support necessary from the earliest possible stage of
their development.
Cultural rights
43.
The Committee welcomes the establishment of the Technical Committee on Cultural
Heritage, which is in charge of preservation and restoration of cultural heritage sites both in
the southern and northern parts of Cyprus. While noting that the State party does not
exercise control over all of its territory and is thus unable to protect and promote the
Covenant rights, including cultural rights, throughout the island, the Committee is deeply
concerned at the massive destruction of cultural heritage sites and artefacts, mostly in the
northern part of Cyprus. It is also concerned at the limited access of people in Cyprus to
their cultural heritage sites (art. 15).
44.
The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary
and appropriate to restore the damaged cultural heritage sites and artefacts and to
preserve the remaining ones, including through strengthening the Technical
Committee on Cultural Heritage with sufficient resources. It also recommends that
the State party take effective measures to ensure that people in Cyprus can freely visit
cultural heritage sites in both the southern and the northern parts of the island.
D.
Other recommendations
45.
The Committee encourages the State party to ratify the Optional Protocol to
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
46.
The Committee also encourages the State party to consider ratifying the
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families and the International Convention for the Protection of All
Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
47.
The Committee recommends that the State party take fully into account its
obligations under the Covenant and ensure the full enjoyment of the rights enshrined
therein in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the
national level, with international assistance and cooperation when needed.
Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals would be significantly facilitated
9