caused a structural disequilibrium which could only be remedied by a new International economic order and the respect for democratic processes in the countries concerned. It was suggested that a United Nations conference on human rights dealing with aspects of slavery and slavery-like practices could attract more public attention to these problems. 325. There was broad agreement on the recommendations contained in the Working Group's report. The view was expressed, however, that more concrete measures could have been proposed with a view to finding practical solutions to the problems of deirt bondage, exploitation of child labour, sale of children and the exploitation 01 prosTTEutlon, 326. Many speakers felt that although the question of female circumcision is not directly tied to slavery, it needs to be thoroughly studied. Such a task, it was suggested, could be assigned to a special working group or to a special rapporteur. < At the 18th meeting, Mr. Benjamin Whitaker, Special Rapporteur, introduced his report entitled "Updating of the Report on Slavery Submitted to the Sub-Commission in 1966". The Special Rapporteur said that his work had been limited by the scarcity of government replies to the questionnaire he had sent. Very few governments had been willing to admit the existence of slavery-like practices in their territories. He explained that his approach to the study had been to pinpoint the problems which exist in all parts of the world. The roots of slavery, he stressed, often lie In extreme deprivation and in the vulnerability of its victims, including women and children. Urgent action Is needed to redress the situation. He emphasized that the objective of such action is not to condemn particular governments, but to assess the needs of innocent victims. A fact-finding United Nations mission, like the one to be carried out at the request of the
**Analysis**
The text discusses the issue of slavery and slavery-like practices, highlighting the need for a new International economic order and respect for democratic processes to address the problem. The Special Rapporteur's report emphasizes the need for urgent action to redress the situation, focusing on the vulnerability of victims, including women and children. The text does not mention specific economic, environmental, or technological issues, but rather emphasizes the human rights aspect of the problem.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Human rights