Minorities subject to physical harassment and attack on their homes may be deprived of any right to defend themselves. During the course of 1992-3, Bosnian Muslims were repeatedly refused the right by the international community to obtain arms in order to defend themselves against Serbian aggression. Bengali youths who defended themselves against a violent racial attack in London, UK, were arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm and violent disorder. They had to wait over one year to be tried and acquitted of the charge. Of special concern is the case of women subjected to repeated physical violence by their husbands and who are ultimately driven to kill their assailants in self-defence. Legal systems currently fail to recognize any extenuating circumstances or to recognize the right of such women to self-defence.