The Comment concerns the rights of minorities, who are not to be denied the right to enjoy their culture, practice their religion, or speak their own language. The Committee differentiates between the right to self-determination and the rights guaranteed in Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in order to avoid any future confusion between the two. Specifically, Article 27 guarantees rights to individuals, whereas the right to self-determination applies to groups. Importantly, individuals protected under Article 27 do not have to be citizens of the State Party in question. States Parties have special obligations under the Article to guarantee the cultural, religious and social development of minorities within their borders.