AP Report: UK Ordered ‘Virginity Tests’ on Immigrant Women
- Posted on May 10, 2011 at 1:02am by
Emily Esfahani Smith
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LONDON (AP) — Newly discovered documents indicate that the British government concealed how often it administered so-called “virginity tests” to female immigrants hoping to enter the country in the 1970s on marriage visas.
The documents, unearthed by legal researchers Marinella Marmo and Evan Smith from Australia’s Flinders University, showed that the tests – meant to prove that women coming into Britain to marry were virgins – had been administered more than 80 times.
Although the tests first drew condemnation in the late 1970s, the extent to which the practice had taken place was not clear until now. The British government had previously acknowledged only two cases, both done at Heathrow Airport.
“We were shocked to see not one case, but many,” Marmo said Monday.
The government acknowledged that the documents were valid, but a spokesman for the U.K. Border Agency declined to address the larger number of cases reported by Marmo and Smith.
“These practices occurred 30 years ago and were clearly wrong,” he said. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government policy, said Britain’s policies now protect the rights of immigrants.
Marmo and Smith’s research began in 2008 and was first published Monday in the Guardian newspaper.
The results show that 73 women underwent the tests in New Delhi and nine in Bombay at British embassies between 1976 and 1979. The alleged reason was to weed out bogus immigration claims.
The researchers said the discrepancy between their findings and the official tally makes it clear that the government, fearful of damaging its international reputation, had deliberately concealed the scale of the practice.
The documents “are quite revealing about the extent of abuse within the immigration system at the time,” Smith said. “There were a lot of machinations to deny or limit what was made public about these cases, which lends credence to the idea that they knew it was something bad, that it was a gross violation of human rights.”
The files, letters and exchanges – some typed, some handwritten, often with scribbles in the margins – contained telling references to a broader agenda to limit immigration, Marmo said, pointing to one note that read: “Let us not pretend we’re not discriminating.”
The researchers believe the government could issue a more assertive apology.
“We cannot change the past, but at least we can set the record straight and we can look each other in the face and tell the truth,” Marmo said. “Say it happened. Say you’re sorry.”
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SamIamTwo
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:25pmWhat no reparations for the living? but the US does it for mass generations…so how can one say it was in the past for living people, when one also supports reparations for what we whites supposedly did over 100 years or more for the DEAD?
I support going forward but I know some of you keyboard cowboys are out there that would say otherwise for African Americans, Asians, Mexicans, etc.
The test is more than just a pat down or requiring you to by a 50 dollar light bulb. The cavalier posts here tell me how insensitive some of you are – in which case makes me wonder if you are a child or just not capable of discerning the difference between the a light bulb and pelvic test to determine the virginity of a woman.
die trolls, die.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on May 12, 2011 at 2:34pmGod bless Britain, one of our last remaining ALLIES despite obama and soros
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on May 12, 2011 at 2:34pmthey used to throw the Virgin Queen on her back and check HER too, no biggie.
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 6:35pmOh well.
Report Post »Hoplite003
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 5:50pmTSA agents are knowingly and willingly breaking the 4th amendment and that makes them traitors to a free people, and we all know how traitors should be treated. If we band together and protest outside their homes maybe that will start sending a message.
Report Post »Realman30
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 5:14pmWhat’s the big deal? A man in the market for a wife need to know whether or not she’s as pure as the driven snow.
I’m all for it.
Report Post »Arshloch
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 3:02pmThe ‘Little Jack Horner’ complex seems to be every where. The big problem is the present crop doesn‘t seem to recognize what a ’plum’ might look like.
Report Post »MUDFLAPS
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 2:35pmno shortage of applicants for that job Im sure…
Report Post »TopOfTheMuffin2u
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 2:32pmWOW! I keep telling everyone that one cannot trust their government. Government is corrupt from power.
Report Post »bruce_baker
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 2:20pmWhat else could you expect from that crowd of Progressives/Socialists? The elites think that they know best and want to control every aspect of the lives of the “sheeple” that they “take care of”.
Only 80 people were affected by this. Compare that to the millions of Americans who will now have to buy CFL bulbs. The principle is the same, only the numbers are different. I can‘t wait to see what’s next?!
Report Post »5410amh
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 2:05pmNow we know where the TSA got their ideas from.
Report Post »Lark
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 1:38pmYes, it does seem that the TSA is VERY close to doing this also. I have been traveling recently and cannot believe what they are doing to the ladies old and young. I am used to having my ‘privates” touched and forceably moved around but when I see the ladies being touched as far as they go up I am amazed how anyone would permit that. But then again what choice do we have. I am afraid government intervention is gaining speed in our lives and we will not see it all coming. Liberal or conservative I cannot believe anyone would stand for the government coming into our lives more and more. The result will not be good!!! I pray that God is watching and trust He will know what the best course is for all of us.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 3:20pmI tell you what IF people would ban togeather it would stop.. I am NOT an avid flyer.. only twice in my life and I WILL NOT fly as long as they have the TSA at the airports.. THERE is NO WHERE I have to be that fast.. video is the next best thing.. and a road trip for everything else.. no reason to leave the country unless YOU HAVE TO.. the can kiss my rear before I let them feel me up.. or anyone else I know..
Report Post »fatsomann
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 1:06pmGood grief.
Report Post »American4God
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:45pmI seem to recall an AP article exposing the Egyptian police for using virginity tests on women during there “peaceful protests”..
Report Post »TraceyM
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:20pmThis happened in the 1970s, so get over it and let talk about issues facing us today, like the economy.
Report Post »thebarbarian
Posted on May 11, 2011 at 12:31amit has direct bearing to what is going on right now. history is important.
Report Post »know who you are and where you come from…
live the present with that knowledge…
and use what you have learned to guide you into the future.
yes, what is going on in the world put a great deal of stress on us all, but it is still relevant to know how we got here.
for example. this story brings light to the use of foot in the door psychology also known as The Overton Window. and how it is being used to control people . awareness in conjunction to being informed gives us strenght.
Food4Thought
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:10pmThe TSA is only a couple of inches from doing that now. What’s the big deal?
Report Post »Hula Calhoun
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 5:52pmConsidering what that beauty queen said about her pat-down/grope, you may be right.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:09pmUm…exactly how was this determined…?!?!!??!?!
?!??!?!??!?!??!??!??!?!?!
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 2:37pmNo you have intercouse with them to tell.
Report Post »Hula Calhoun
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 5:51pmIt’s called a pelvic exam. Ask a doctor to explain it to you if you are still clueless.
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