"Oina" is the reason for the denial of the re-registration (see paragraph 2.6 above). Nor has it advanced arguments as to the compatibility of the requirements, which are de facto restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, which are applicable to the authors' case, with any of the criteria listed in article 19, paragraph 3, of the Covenant. The Committee therefore finds that the right to freedom of expression under article 19 of the Covenant, respectively, Mr. Mavlonov's ability to publish "Oina" and to impart information, and Mr. Sa'di's right to receive information and ideas in print, has been violated. The Committee notes that the public has a right to receive information as a corollary of the specific function of a journalist and/or editor to impart information. It considers that Mr. Sa'di's right to receive information as an "Oina" reader was violated by its non-registration. 8.5 As to the authors' claim regarding the mass media registration regime as such constituting an independent violation of article 19, paragraph 3, the Committee concludes that it is not necessary to decide on this issue, in light of the finding of a violation of this provision in the authors' case, and especially with regard to the limited information available before it. 8.6 As for the authors' claim under article 27, the Committee explained in its General Comment No. 23 on this provision, that this article 'establishes and recognizes a right which is conferred on individuals belonging to minority groups and which is distinct from, and additional to, all the other rights which ... [individuals] are already entitled to enjoy under the Covenant'. [FN10] It specifically noted that the 'protection of these rights is directed towards ensuring the survival and continued development of the cultural, religious and social identity of the minorities concerned'. [FN11] Finally, the Committee has emphasized that article 27 requires State parties to employ '[p]ositive measures of protection [...] against the acts of the State party itself, whether through its legislative, judicial or administrative authorities [...]".[FN12] -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------[FN10] Human Rights Committee's General Comment No. 23 (1994), para.1. [FN11] Ibid, para.9. [FN12] Ibid, para.6.1 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------8.7 In this respect, the Committee has noted the authors' uncontested claim that "Oina" published articles containing educational and other materials for Tajik students and young persons on events and matters of cultural interest to this readership, as well as reported on the particular difficulties facing the continued provision of education to Tajik youth in their own language, including shortages in Tajik-language textbooks, low wages for teachers and the forced opening of Uzbek-language classes in some Tajik schools. The Committee considers that in the context of article 27, education in a minority language is a fundamental part of minority culture. Finally, the Committee refers to its jurisprudence, where it has made clear that the question of whether Article 27 has been violated is whether the challenged restriction has an 'impact [...] [so] substantial that it does effectively deny to the [complainants] the right to enjoy their cultural rights [...]'.[FN13] In the circumstances of the present case, the Committee is of the opinion that the use of a minority language press as means of airing issues of significance and importance to the Tajik minority community in Uzbekistan, by both editors and readers, is an essential element of the Tajik minority's culture. FN14 Taking into account the denial of the right to enjoy minority Tajik culture, the Committee finds a violation of article 27, read together with article 2. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------[FN13] See Länsman et al. v. Finland, Communication No. 511/1992, Views adopted on 26 October 1994, para.9.5. FN14 Ibid, paras.9.2 and 9.3. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. The Human Rights Committee, acting under article 5, paragraph 4, of the Optional Protocol to the