E/CN.4/2004/56 page 16 protect the human rights of victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance who are infected, or presumably infected, with pandemic diseases such as HIV/AIDS and to take concrete measures, including preventive action, appropriate access to medication and treatment, programmes of education, training and mass media dissemination, to eliminate violence, stigmatization, discrimination … and other negative consequences arising from these pandemics”. 63. The Special Rapporteur highlights the fact that there is multiple discrimination where individuals face other types of discrimination that could be linked to gender, religion or race in addition to discrimination based on their HIV status. Violence against women, in particular in conflict situations, increases their vulnerability to HIV infection and States have an obligation to protect women from sexual violence. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur reiterates the recommendation made by his predecessor that female security personnel be present during the interrogation of women detainees, as the interrogation and detention of female detainees by exclusively male personnel constitute conditions that may be conducive to rape and sexual abuse of women prisoners (E/CN.4/1995/34, para. 24). 64. The Special Rapporteur further highlights the issue of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the context of torture related to HIV/AIDS. Attitudes and beliefs stemming from myths and fears associated with HIV/AIDS and sexuality contribute to stigma and discrimination against sexual minorities. In addition, the fact that members of these minorities are perceived as transgressing gender barriers or challenging predominant conceptions of gender roles seems to contribute to their vulnerability to torture as a way to “punish” their unaccepted behaviour. In this respect, the Special Rapporteur would like to recall the report of the former Special Rapporteur to the General Assembly (A/56/156, paras. 17-25), in which he referred to information he had received according to which members of sexual minorities, when arrested or when lodging a complaint, are subjected to further victimization by the police, including verbal and physical assault. It was also reported that members of sexual minorities receive inadequate medical treatment in public hospitals on grounds of their gender identity, which, in case of people living with HIV/AIDS, could lead to very serious consequences. In this regard, the International Guidelines state that “responses by States to the epidemic should include the implementation of laws and policies to eliminate systemic discrimination, including where it occurs against these [vulnerable] groups”.14 65. The Special Rapporteur undertakes to continue to integrate HIV/AIDS-related human rights protections in future activities, including country visits, communications with Governments and NGOs, where relevant, as requested by the Commission in its resolution 2003/47. V. THE SITUATION OF TRADE IN AND PRODUCTION OF EQUIPMENT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO INFLICT TORTURE OR OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT, ITS ORIGIN, DESTINATION AND FORMS 66. In accordance with Commission on Human Rights resolution 2002/38, the Special Rapporteur presented at the fifty-ninth session of the Commission a preliminary study on the situation of trade in and production of equipment which is specifically designed to inflict torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, its origin, destination and forms