such differentiation are reasonable and objective and if the aim is to achieve a purpose which is legitimate under the Covenant.”40 147. Can the differentiation of treatment of the Victims in the present Communication be classified as reasonable and legitimate as expressed by the UN Human Rights Committee? It follows that, the principle of equality or non-discrimination does not AC HP R 148. mean that all differential treatments and distinctions are forbidden because some distinctions are necessary when they are legitimate and justifiable. 149. Looking at the arguments of the parties in this Communication, the African Commission is of the opinion that the treatment was neither legitimate, nor justifiable because there is no reasonable cause behind the discrimination that was inflicted upon the Victims. 150. Furthermore, in addition to the statements made by the Victims, a statement made by a woman named Rabab al-Mahdy41 in the Complainants‟ submissions corroborated the sexual harassment inflicted on them. She stated: “The thugs started beating and assaulting me. They put their hands up my clothes, and fondled all my sensitive areas under the eyes of the officers. “42 40 Human Rights Committee, General Comment 18, Non-discrimination (Thirty-seventh session, 1989), Compilation of General Comments and General Recommendations Adopted by Human Rights Treaty Bodies, U.N. Doc. HRI/GEN/1/Rev.1 at 26 (1994). Para 13. 41 Aida Seif el-Dawla was also participating in the demonstrations. 42 Annexure “G”, “Translations of extracts of witnesses’ statements made to the prosecutors and to Al-Nadim Center”- Statement of Rabab al-Mahdy to Al-Nadeem Cente. 42