In many cases there is a failure to protect minority women from further violence at the hands of other prisoners or prison staff. Barriers in accessing complaint mechanisms and State protection are common and systemic for minority women – including stigma and ineffective responses by authorities. The UN Bangkok Rules require criminal justice systems to adopt a gender-sensitive approach to violence against women offenders and prisoners, promoting appropriate alternatives to imprisonment and requiring victimisation to be a factor at sentencing. The Rules further require that prison administrations are responsive to women’s prior experience of domestic violence as a key element to rehabilitation. We invite delegates and the distinguished panel to address the following question: What can be done to improve the implementation of the UN Bangkok Rules to address the needs stemming from violence experienced by minority women while in prison. I note specifically Rules 54 and 55, which recognise the multiple forms of discrimination faced by minority women, and call for gender- and culture-relevant programmes and services in consultation with the relevant women. This question will be addressed at a side-event at 1 o’clock today in Room 27, co-sponsored by Canada, PRI, QUNO and UNODC. Thank you for your attention. END/ For more information please contact: Olivia Rope Penal Reform International orope@penalreform.org