A/HRC/6/17 page 20 of the violence between Colombian military forces, paramilitary groups and guerrillas, often framed with reference to terrorism. In the impoverished urban slums, displaced persons have no way of earning a living, face ongoing violence, lack basic necessities such as food, water and sanitation, and are deprived of health services and education.39 63. In various parts of the world, evictions tend to affect persons who find themselves in a vulnerable situation, such as women, ethnic, religious and other minorities and indigenous peoples. In times of counter-terrorism, evictions and house demolitions are sometimes used as forms of targeted or even collective punishment for residents who are suspected of supporting terrorist groups. Heavily armed forces may carry out the evictions, destroying and demolishing houses and belongings. While some destruction of property may, in particular in the context of an armed conflict, be legitimate, collective punishments or the excessive use of force amount by definition to human rights violations, including that of the right to adequate housing. These actions may also deepen poverty and institutionalize impunity for those responsible for such violations. The discrimination behind these acts can escalate into violation of the most fundamental of human rights during times of forced eviction. The next step for people is to flee to other areas in the country, leading to displacement.40 V. ROLE OF THE PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS IN PREVENTING TERRORISM 64. One pillar of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, adopted by the General Assembly in September 2006 by its resolution 60/288, pertains to measures addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. As such conditions - and underlining that none of these conditions can excuse or justify acts of terrorism - Member States referred to, inter alia, prolonged unresolved conflicts; violations of human rights; ethnic, national and religious discrimination; political exclusion; socio-economic marginalization; and lack of good governance. Many of these factors have a direct link with the extent to which economic, social and cultural rights are enjoyed. The promotion and effective realization of those rights can therefore be seen as a strategic choice to pursue policies aimed at preventing terrorism. While there is no scientific evidence of a causal connection between economic and social grievances and acts of terrorism, patterns of correlation can be demonstrated that suggest that societies characterized by such grievances and educational exclusion are often breeding or recruitment grounds for terrorists. 41 39 MADRE, Colombia overview, “The impact of Colombia’s war on women and children”, available at http://www.madre.org/countries/Colombia.html. 40 Report of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living (E/CN.4/2004/48), paras. 37-39. 41 For a rich but complex discussion on various approaches to the issue of causes or conditions related to terrorism, see the presentation by Alex P. Schmid, “Why terrorism? Root causes, some empirical findings, and the Case of 9/11”, Council of Europe document, available from www.coe.int/gmt.