E/CN.4/2003/66 page 24 Pakistan. It is also the case in the violence against Coptic Christians and their places of worship in Egypt and in the attacks on Catholic, Adventist, Methodist and Nazarene churches in Yugoslavia. 134. An examination of these communications also reveals the very worrying and sometimes tragic situation of women. The communications covered in the present report refer to extreme situations and cases of women being sentenced to stoning for pseudo-religious reasons, notably in Nigeria. 135. More generally, it may be seen from these communications that there is not always a clear distinction between racial and religious categories. Many minorities, and even major human communities, identify themselves in both racial and religious terms and, in many cases, the division between race and religion is by no means watertight. Indeed, discrimination is often aggravated where multiple identities are involved. 136. The communications also show a precipitous rise in religious extremism, genuine or otherwise. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur wishes to recall that intra- and interreligious extremism is a problem that affects not one society or religion in particular, but, in varying degrees, all religions. It is clear from the communications sent, especially those to Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan, that the main victims of inter- and intrareligious extremism are minorities, on the one hand, and women on the other. However, aside from such vulnerable groups, all sectors of society are affected by religious extremism. 137. Since 1993, the Special Rapporteur has constantly underlined the dangers posed by religious extremism to international peace in general and the human rights protection system in particular. He has frequently called for the establishment of common rules and principles to deal with the problem. However, his repeated warnings of the need to combat religious extremism and the exploitation of religion for political and partisan purposes have, regrettably, not had the desired effect. 138. Pseudo-religious extremism reached its height with the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the shock waves from which triggered unprecedented regional destabilization. There is now an urgent need to confront the challenges presented by the scourge of religious extremism, but above all to address the scourges of poverty, injustice and underdevelopment, which are a breeding ground for all kinds of extremism, including religious extremism. 139. The Special Rapporteur wishes to recall, however, that not everything can be justified or legitimized by the war on international terrorism. The world is slipping dangerously down on the road of war and repression - a route which is depicted as unavoidable, but which is highly likely to lead to even more violent confrontations that can only fuel terrorism, since terrorist movements spring up and spread where freedoms are impaired and safeguards curtailed. 140. The values and principles that form the basis of human rights and guarantee their universality, indivisibility and interdependence must be respected and the unacceptable