18 underscored the impunity associated with these cases of violence against women, a fact recognized by both civil society organizations and state authorities.55 78. Several international organizations have spoken out emphatically about the seriousness of the problem of violence against women in Guatemala and the overall impunity in which these crimes remain.56 The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women stated: The Committee is deeply concerned about the continuing and increasing cases of disappearances, rape, torture and murders of women, the engrained culture of impunity for such crimes, and the gender-based nature of the crimes committed, which constitute grave and systematic violations of women’s human rights. It is concerned about the insufficient efforts to conduct thorough investigations, the absence of protection measures for witnesses, victims’ families and the lack of information and data regarding the cases, the causes of violence and the 57 profiles of the victims. 79. For its part, in its July 2006 considerations on Guatemala, the United Nations Committee against Torture, expressed alarm about the violence against women: The Committee is seriously concerned about the numerous allegations concerning: […] b) The increase in violent killings of women, which often involve sexual violence, mutilations and torture. The fact that these acts are not investigated exacerbates the suffering of relatives seeking justice, who, in addition, complain of gender discrimination by the authorities in the 58 course of investigatory and judicial proceedings; […] 80. In its concluding observations on Guatemala adopted in 2013, the United Nations Committee against Torture welcomed the legislative and other measures adopted by the State party to …continuación Human Rights Ombudsman concluded that by using such forms of violence the assailant appeared to want to demonstrate their physical superiority over their victim. Human Rights Ombudsman, Guatemala, C.A, Powerpoint presentation, Guatemala, March 2006, available on-line at http://www.pdh.org.gt/files/inf_especiales/presentacion_muertemujeres03-05.pdf. 55 IACHR, Press Release No. 20/04, Special Rapporteur evaluates the effectiveness of the right of women in Guatemala to live free from violence and discrimination. Washington, D.C., September 18, 2004, par. 17. 56 IACHR, Press Release No. 20/04, Special Rapporteur evaluates the effectiveness of the right of women in Guatemala to live free from violence and discrimination. Washington, D.C., September 18, 2004; Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, CEDAW/C/GUA/CO/6, 2 June 2006, Original: English, 35th Session, 15 May to 2 June 2006, para. 23, available online at http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/35sess.htm; Integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender Perspective: Violence against Women, Report of United Nations Special Rapporteur, Yakin Ertürk, on her mission to Guatemala, 8 to 14 February 2004; Human Rights Ombudsman of Guatemala, Compendio “Muertes Violentas de Mujeres”, 2003 to 2005 [Compendium “Violent Deaths of Women, 2003 to 2005], p. 92. http://www.pdh.org.gt/files/inf_especiales/muerte_mujeres03-05.pdf; Amnesty International, Guatemala: No protection, no justice: Killings of women (an update), AMR 34/019/2006, 2006; Amnesty International, Guatemala: No protection, no justice: killings of women, AMR 34/017/2005, June 2005. International Federation for Human Rights, International Investigation Mission, El Feminicidio en Mexico y Guatemala [Feminicide in Mexico and Guatemala], No. 446/3, April 2006. 57 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, CEDAW/C/GUA/CO/6, 2 June 2006, Original: English, 35th Session, 15 May to 2 June 2006, para. 23, available on-line athttp://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/35sess.htm 58 United Nations, Committee against Torture, Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties under Article 19 of the Convention, Guatemala, CAT/C/GTM/CO/4, 25 July 2006.