A/HRC/20/26/Add.2 allowed to assist in demining efforts. She encourages the authorities to increase demining efforts and to accept the international offer for assistance and cooperation in this respect. 73. Saharawi families who have been divided face difficulties in transmitting cultural traditions and values to their offspring. The Independent Expert encourages the organization of family reunions on a regular and more frequent basis. 74. The Independent Expert was informed that, in the period 2009-2010, around 166 projects supported by INDH focused on capacity-building of local associations, and that 50 projects were dedicated to cultural development. She also learned that some associations experience difficulties in registering even though they submitted all necessary documentation.36 75. A worrying tendency reported to the Independent Expert was that some Saharawis had stopped wearing their distinctive traditional dress or were hesitant to do so, as they felt threatened or harassed by others. The Independent Expert recalls that local authorities have an obligation to protect the realization of cultural rights against interference by third parties and that, as explained by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the obligation to respect and protect the right of everyone to engage in their own cultural practices is to be considered a core obligation under article 15 (1) (a) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 37 She urges the local authorities to address this issue and to take measures to promote a culture of tolerance and cultural diversity. 76. The Independent Expert was concerned to hear reports on violence that erupted during the organization of the Sea and Desert festival in February 2011. The attacks targeted mainly Saharawi houses, more than 70 of which were burned. Local authorities offered some financial compensation and investigations were conducted. The Independent Expert would like to be informed of the result of those investigations and the follow-up measures taken by the authorities. 77. The Independent Expert was also concerned to learn that Saharawis do not always enjoy in practice the right to register their preferred name for their children, in particular, the Hassani practice of hyphenated names. 78. Excellent initiatives supporting persons with disabilities are carried out by the local authorities, focusing on raising awareness about and integrating persons with disabilities into the school system and in employment. The Independent Expert visited a rehabilitation centre for persons with disabilities, and commends its work. The centre has a good partnership arrangement with different ministries, including the Ministry of Health, and is supported by INDH. Although the centre is equipped with computers, these are not suited for use by persons with impaired vision. The Independent Expert notes some difficulties in integrating children with disabilities into the educational system owing, for instance, to the lack of suitable public transport for physically challenged children and the lack of books in Braille for those with impaired vision. Furthermore, no special arrangements are made for persons with disabilities to participate in the numerous art festivals and cultural public events. 79. With regard to the conservation of tangible cultural heritage, the Independent Expert was disappointed to learn of the demolition of a Spanish fortress dating back to 1886 and of the intention to demolish a church from the same period. Thanks to the efforts of civil society, the church was not entirely demolished and is now being renovated. The Spanish 36 37 18 See also http://www.hrw.org/node/85875/section/5. E/C.12/GC/21, para. 55 (c).