E/2000/27 E/CN.6/2000/9 persons were subject to torture, floggings, confiscation of property, harassment and forcible evictions in conflict situations. The Working Group also noted with concern discrimination against women in respect of their access to international humanitarian aid. “7. The Working Group noted with concern the failure of Governments in times of political instability to protect civilians, including women and children, who were victims of violations of human rights, including massacres, death threats, torture, rape, disappearances, kidnapping (of young girls) and arbitrary detention. The Working Group also noted with concern the failure of Governments to punish those responsible for the violations. “8. The Working Group was gravely concerned by the more than 8,000 communications regarding gross violations of all of the basic human rights of women in one case. They included violations of civil and political rights and of economic, social and cultural rights — specifically, freedom of movement and religion and the equal right to work, education and health. The Working Group was also concerned by communications regarding women’s dependence on men, and the increase of suicides and severe depression among women. “9. The Working Group was further gravely concerned by communications in that case regarding particularly degrading and inhuman punishment which had sometimes resulted in death. The Working Group also noted with deep concern that women were beaten for ‘disobedience’, tortured, shot and burned alive, and that such acts constituted flagrant violations of the right to life. “10. The Working Group noted with deep concern the failure of Governments to protect the rights of ethnic and religious minority women, particularly during times of civil unrest and riot and in post-conflict situations. It also expressed concerns about cases including murder, destruction of property of religious institutions, systematic campaign of threats, intimidation of people of other faiths and racism. It further noted the discrimination against minorities, in particular the denial of their rights to political participation, and the denial of rights to equal access to governmental employment, education and health care. “11. The Working Group noted with concern the continued discrimination against indigenous groups, in particular women and children. It also noted with concern the increasing number of cases of arbitrary killing, detention, torture, rape and forced disappearances. The Working Group further expressed its concern about the harassment of organizations of indigenous people and the death threats that they received. “12. The Working Group was concerned at the allegations of the violations of the human rights of women, including widespread arbitrary arrest, use of excessive force during arrests, prolonged administrative detention, detention of minors, torture and ill-treatment, imprisonment of the mentally ill, and overcrowding of prisons. The Working Group also noted with concern unfair trials and forcible exile of political opponents, and the abusive treatment of their spouses, children and other relatives. “13. The Working Group further noted with concern the ongoing harassment, including acts of violence, intimidation and death threats, of human rights defenders by members of the police and other authority figures. The Working Group was also concerned by the lack of investigation by authorities in cases where the safety and freedom of human rights defenders, members of non-governmental organizations and women activists had been threatened. “14. The Working Group also expressed its concern about alleged cases of violation of the right to freedom of expression and movement. As a consequence, women had suffered arbitrary arrest, detention, harassment and threats. “15. The Working Group was deeply concerned about the continuing de facto discriminatory treatment of certain social groups, including women, reflected by limitations on their full participation in public life, educational choices and employment opportunities and by alleged child slavery and prostitution. “16. The Working Group noted with concern remaining discriminatory provisions against 15