A/HRC/23/56/Add.1 exposure to toxic agents as a result of the exploitation of natural resources. Access to health services continues to be a major challenge for indigenous peoples and communities, also owing to racial discrimination. Reports were received about serious cases of unfair treatment by health professionals who denied or delayed medical assistance to indigenous persons. Many interlocutors stressed the need to establish a supervisory authority to hear complaints on the infringement of the rights of patients, and to elaborate specific programmes to raise awareness among medical staff about the situation of indigenous peoples. 40. The Government has set new priorities to improve the efficiency, accessibility and quality of health services. A national sectoral health plan for 2010-2015 contains important provisions on ensuring universal access to health services. It places emphasis on objectives of promoting an intercultural health-care system that combines conventional and traditional indigenous medicine, provides culturally appropriate health services to underserved rural population, and empowers rural and urban communities to participate in decision-making at the local, district and municipal levels on issues of health-care provision. 41. The economic exclusion of indigenous peoples was an issue often raised during the Special Rapporteur’s meetings. A great majority of indigenous peoples and communities are still excluded from major sectors of the economy, experiencing discrimination in their access to insurance, credit and banking, and communication services, as well as in housing. Nevertheless, the Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia has been carrying out projects for indigenous communities through the Development Fund for the Native Indigenous Population and Peasant and Intercultural Communities, whose board is composed of indigenous organizations. 3. Racial violence, access to justice and impunity 42. The Special Rapporteur was informed that native indigenous campesino peoples continue to be subjected to racial discrimination, which is particularly alarming. It was reported that, despite considerable progress, the issue of impunity remains a major concern in the Plurinational State of Bolivia, particularly with regard to the serious human rights violations reported during the incidents of racial violence in 2008. Acts of racism, including verbal attacks and physical violence against indigenous residents and representatives, were rampant in Sucre in 2007 and 2008 during the sessions of the Constituent Assembly. During the racial violence in Sucre in May 2008, some local political opposition members and their supporters attacked, harassed and severely humiliated indigenous persons and native peasants. In September 2008, in Pando Department, during the national political crisis, indigenous people and native peasants were subjected to racial violence as a result of which 13 people died, more than 80 were injured and 15 taken hostage. With regard to the incidents of racial violence in Pando and Sucre, it was reported that, although perpetrators were brought to justice, the trials had been delayed, and no concrete results had been reached owing to the cumbersome justice system. 43. According to the information received, ill-treatment and discrimination against native peasant communities, as well as lack of access to justice and basic services, still persist, particularly in Pando Department. Despite the attempts by the Government to provide compensation and assistance, many victims of the Pando massacre reportedly have not received reparation and medical assistance to help them overcome the physical and psychological damage they suffered. Concerns were expressed that some of the victims had been subjected to harassment even in the aftermath of the Pando massacre, allegedly by the perpetrators or their affiliates. 44. The need to create an effective judicial system to deliver justice services and make it more responsive to the demands of victims of racism and racial discrimination was stressed by representatives of the legislative branch, indigenous peoples and civil society, as well as 10