E/2001/27 E/CN.6/2001/14 “8. The Working Group was gravely concerned by trends of contemporary forms of slavery, which included domestic and sexual slavery and trafficking in women and girls for purposes of economic or sexual exploitation. “9. The Working Group noted with concern the ongoing harassment, including acts of violence, intimidation and death threats, of women 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 women human rights defenders, women members of non-governmental organizations, women from opposition groups, women activists and journalists had been threatened. “10. The Working Group was gravely concerned by the alarming number of communications indicating that, in one case, women were not granted even the most basic human rights. Flagrant violations included denial of their civil and political rights, their economic, social and cultural rights, their freedom of movement, their right to work, and their access to education, employment and health care. The Working Group was seriously concerned at brutal attacks, particularly degrading and inhuman punishment which has resulted in death in certain cases, including stoning, and the increase in suicides and severe depression among these women. “11. The Working Group was concerned at the fact that racial discrimination combined with discrimination on the basis of sex to disadvantage certain groups of women. It noted with deep concern the failure of government authorities who were in a position to do so to protect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, particularly women and girls, especially, but not only, during times of political instability and in post-conflict situations. “12. 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 systematic attacks on indigenous communities, including arbitrary killings, detention, torture, rape, forced sterilization and forced disappearances. “13. The Working Group noted with concern discriminatory provisions against women in national legal systems. It expressed concern that many cases of discrimination against women and violations of women’s human rights were not taken seriously by some government officials or were subject to genderinsensitive decisions, thereby prejudicing women’s enjoyment of human rights, including access to justice. “14. In considering the non-confidential communicat ions, the Working Group expressed deep concern at the harmful traditional practice of female genital mutilation. It recognized the urgent need for Governments to implement the relevant international commitments with regard to this practice. “15. The Workin g Group took note of the concerns expressed by some Governments in their responses. While acknowledging that the responses submitted by Governments to confidential communications indicated their commitment to the improvement of the status of women, the Working Group recommended further public education campaigns and gender-awareness training for specific sectors directed at the elimination of stereotypic attitudes towards women and girls. It recommended training with respect to the 55