A/RES/55/68 Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 10 the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, 11 the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 12 the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 13 and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, 14 Reaffirming also the outcome document of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century”, 15 Reaffirming further the call for the elimination of violence against women and girls, especially all forms of commercial sexual exploitation as well as economic exploitation, including trafficking in women and children, female infanticide, crimes committed in the name of honour, crimes committed in the name of passion, racially motivated crimes, the abduction and sale of children, dowry-related violence and deaths, acid attacks and harmful traditional or customary practices, such as female genital mutilation and early and forced marriages, Stressing the importance of the empowerment of women as a tool to eliminate all forms of violence against women, including crimes identified in the outcome document of the twenty-third special session, 1. Expresses deep concern at the persistence of various forms of violence and crimes against women in all parts of the world, especially all forms of commercial sexual exploitation as well as economic exploitation, including trafficking in women and children, female infanticide, crimes committed in the name of honour, crimes committed in the name of passion, racially motivated crimes, the abduction and sale of children, dowry-related violence and deaths, acid attacks and harmful traditional or customary practices, such as female genital mutilation and early and forced marriages; 2. Stresses that all forms of violence against women, including crimes identified in the outcome document of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, 15 are obstacles to the advancement and empowerment of women, and reaffirms that violence against women both violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms; 3. Also stresses the need to treat all forms of violence against women and girls of all ages as a criminal offence punishable by law, including violence based on all forms of discrimination; 4. Reaffirms that there is increased awareness of and commitment to preventing and combating violence against women, including crimes identified in the outcome document of the twenty-third special session, and in this context welcomes various legal, administrative and other measures taken by Governments for their prevention and elimination, and calls for high priority to be attached to the further strengthening of such measures; 10 Resolution 34/180, annex. Resolution 2106 A (XX), annex. 12 Resolution 44/25, annex. 13 Resolution 39/46, annex. 14 Resolution 45/158, annex. 15 Resolution S-23/3, annex. 11 2