E/2006/27 E/CN.6/2006/15 to protect and assist them, investigate their cases, prosecute and punish perpetrators adequately and provide redress and reparations; (i) The threatening or pressuring of victims of violence by members of security forces in order to force retraction of complaints or to control and suppress potential opposition and violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association and movement. 8. During its consideration of all communications, including the replies of Governments thereon, and of whether any of those appeared to reveal a consistent pattern of reliably attested injustice and discriminatory practices against women, the Working Group was concerned about: (a) Abuse of power by government officials in conducting arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment; (b) Violence against women, especially sexual violence, and the apparent lack of commitment by some States to tackle impunity and thereby contribute to preventing violence against women; (c) The failure by some States, in contravention of their human rights obligations, to exercise due diligence to prevent violence against women and adequately to investigate such crimes and punish perpetrators; (d) The continued existence of legislation or practices in many areas either intended to or with the effect of discriminating against women, despite the international obligations and commitments of States and their constitutional provisions to outlaw such discrimination. 9. The Working Group expressed appreciation of the cooperation by those Governments that had submitted replies to or observations that clarified the communications received and it encouraged all others to do so in the future. The Working Group considered that cooperation essential for it to discharge its duties effectively. From the replies received, as well as those indicated by several authors of communications, the Working Group was encouraged to note that some Governments had or were in the process of adopting new legislation, amending discriminatory legislation, making efforts to harmonize national legislation with relevant international standards and removing gender bias in the area of administration of justice. The Working Group was also encouraged to note that, in some cases, Governments had or were in the process of bringing perpetrators to justice and/or providing remedies to the victims. 53