Egyptian civil court: virginity tests on female prisoners illegal
The ruling comes after the complaint of a young activist, captured in March in the demonstrations in Tahrir Square. Together with six others, the girl was forced to undergo a test in front of some officials. Egyptian blogger arrested during the Coptic massacre of 9 October .
Cairo (AsiaNews) - The virginity tests performed by the military on activists captured in Tahrir Square are illegal and must be stopped. This was announced yesterday by the Court for Civil Rights in Cairo, after the complaint filed in recent months by Samira Ibrahim, a young protester captured during the protests last March along with six other girls. During the period of captivity, the military forced them to undergo a virginity test, which according to the deposition of Samira was performed in front of some officials.
To date, the young woman is the only one of six activists to denounce the military despite the threats and risks of retaliation. In March, the army justified its actions, saying that the tests were used to avoid the accusation of rape by young activists. In recent days, a top official announced the transfer of the case to the Supreme Military Tribunal, ensuring the proper punishment for those responsible, but so far there have been no further developments. "I hope that the verdict of the Civil Court - said Samira - will help me win the case against the officer who conducted the tests. They can say what they want, but I want him and those with him who gave the order prosecuted ".
The civil court ruling is a way to force the Army to suspend military leaders accused of beating Ghada Abdel Raziq Kamal, the young activist beaten and tortured by soldiers in the demonstrations of last December 16. The images of the woman kept on the ground and kicked by the police have spread around the world. On December 20 thousands of women took to the streets to denounce the abuses of the military and demand respect for their dignity.
Riham Ramzy, a young Catholic Copt from Upper Egypt, tells AsiaNews that "the beating of the girl by the military and abuses against activists shocked the country. It is as if they had beaten all tEgyptian women. " According to the girl, the brutality shown by the army has served to mobilize the Egyptians and the Jasmine Revolution on the side of women.
"After these things - she continues - we know that the Egyptian people are on our side. The protests are attended by all, lay people, Muslims and Christians. All we demand is respect for our rights and our dignity. Even the Islamic parties must take into account that women are an integral part of Egypt. "
The continuing violence and allegations of arbitrary detention, are forcing the army to ease its grip on activists. On 25 December, a judge of the Military Court ordered the release of Alaa Abd El Fattah, the blogger was arrested in October during the massacre of Coptic Christians in front of the headquarters of the Egyptian state TV. (S.C.)
To date, the young woman is the only one of six activists to denounce the military despite the threats and risks of retaliation. In March, the army justified its actions, saying that the tests were used to avoid the accusation of rape by young activists. In recent days, a top official announced the transfer of the case to the Supreme Military Tribunal, ensuring the proper punishment for those responsible, but so far there have been no further developments. "I hope that the verdict of the Civil Court - said Samira - will help me win the case against the officer who conducted the tests. They can say what they want, but I want him and those with him who gave the order prosecuted ".
The civil court ruling is a way to force the Army to suspend military leaders accused of beating Ghada Abdel Raziq Kamal, the young activist beaten and tortured by soldiers in the demonstrations of last December 16. The images of the woman kept on the ground and kicked by the police have spread around the world. On December 20 thousands of women took to the streets to denounce the abuses of the military and demand respect for their dignity.
Riham Ramzy, a young Catholic Copt from Upper Egypt, tells AsiaNews that "the beating of the girl by the military and abuses against activists shocked the country. It is as if they had beaten all tEgyptian women. " According to the girl, the brutality shown by the army has served to mobilize the Egyptians and the Jasmine Revolution on the side of women.
"After these things - she continues - we know that the Egyptian people are on our side. The protests are attended by all, lay people, Muslims and Christians. All we demand is respect for our rights and our dignity. Even the Islamic parties must take into account that women are an integral part of Egypt. "
The continuing violence and allegations of arbitrary detention, are forcing the army to ease its grip on activists. On 25 December, a judge of the Military Court ordered the release of Alaa Abd El Fattah, the blogger was arrested in October during the massacre of Coptic Christians in front of the headquarters of the Egyptian state TV. (S.C.)
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