World

Egyptian Court Bans Military ‘Virginity Tests’ on Female Detainees

Egyptian Court Bans Military Virginity TestsCAIRO (The Blaze/AP) — An Egyptian court on Tuesday ordered the country’s military rulers to stop the use of “virginity tests” on female detainees, in a rare condemnation by a civilian tribunal of a military practice that has caused an uproar among activists and rights groups.

The virginity test allegations first surfaced after a March 9 rally in Cairo’s Tahrir Square that turned violent when men in plainclothes attacked protesters, and the army cleared the square by force. The rights group Human Rights Watch said seven women were subjected to the tests.

The ban came a week after public outrage over scenes of soldiers dragging women protesters by the hair, stomping on them and stripping one half-naked in the street during a fierce crackdown on activists.

“This is a case for all the women of Egypt, not only mine,” said Samira Ibrahim, 25, who was arrested and then spoke out about her treatment.

Ibrahim filed two suits against the practice, one demanding it be banned and another accusing an officer of sexual assault. She was the only one to complain publicly about a practice that can bring shame upon the victim in a conservative society.

A small group of women gathered outside the court building, holding banners. One said, “Women of Egypt are a red line.”

The three-judge panel said in its ruling that the virginity tests were “a violation of women’s rights and an aggression against their dignity.”

The ruling also said a member of the ruling military council admitted to Amnesty International in June that the practice was carried out on female detainees in March to protect the army against possible allegations of rape, indicating it was an administrative order and not an individual decision.

Because the military is also acting as a police force, “it is the duty of the armed forces when carrying out these duties to abide by the law and not violate its provisions when dealing with citizens,” the court ruling said.

The ruling “is incredibly important not only because it comes after scenes of sexual assault and battery of women by military troops,” said Heba Morayef, an Egypt researcher with Human Rights Watch. “It is also important because it is the first time a civilian court acknowledged and criticized abuse by the military.”

At first the military denied administering virginity tests. Then last week, the military prosecutor said one army doctor is on trial for abuse. On Tuesday, after the court decision, military prosecutor Adel el-Morsi said the tests are not condoned by the military, calling the abuse “an individual behavior” that is before courts.

Rights groups have said some officers have explained the tests as a way to clear their names of possible charges of abuse by the protesters. Women protesters said they were threatened with prostitution charges before they were subjected to the tests.

Hossam Bahgat, a human rights activist who was involved in the case, said the court ruling restores some justice to the abused women and is a first step toward holding military officials accountable.

“It is also very symbolically important because it is a crack in the wall of impunity the (military rulers) have built around their personnel and their conduct” against protesters and women in particular, he said.

He said the lawyers will try to upgrade the charges against the army doctor to sexual assault instead of the current indecent act.

Ibrahim, who covers her hair in the style of conservative Muslims, told a private TV station Monday that she filed the suits because she wanted to spare others what she went through. Ibrahim said her family, from the conservative southern Egyptian city of Sohag, was supportive of her going public.

“I was devastated,” she told the private ONTV network. “I was hurt, and sad, and didn’t expect that from them (soldiers.) The first thing dad said is…only the law will help you.”

Comments (39)

  • rmcenery
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:02pm

    Sick sick sick. I am SICK of hearing and reading about these half-witts.

    Report Post »  
  • Constantine Ivanov
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 1:25pm

    How many suicide-bombers went to the Heaven to copulate with 72 virgins (each)?
    Multiply 72 by the number of suicide-bombing terrorists, and you understand that they are now experiencing shortage of virgins. Thus – the test.
    By the way, I am happy, that we in the USA since long time ago have already forgotten what “virgin” means.
    Freedom versus obscurantism…

    Report Post » Constantine Ivanov  
  • BannedByHuffpo
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:04am

    Beasts. Nothing but degenerate beasts. Just like that mass-murderer muslim pig and his “honor killing” in Texas while wearing a Santa suit on Christmas. How can we eradicate this sick, disgusting cancer from the face of the earth?

    Report Post » BannedByHuffpo  
    • TROONORTH
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:41am

      “How can we eradicate this sick, disgusting cancer from the face of the earth?”

      Hmmmm. ‘Atomic bomb’ comes to mind.

      Report Post » TROONORTH  
    • Constantine Ivanov
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 1:40pm

      To TROONORTH:
      “‘Atomic bomb’ comes to mind.”
      Emotions, bro, emotions…
      The estimated 5 million Muslims are living in the United States.
      Out of them 3.3MLN are living in the following states:
      California
      1,000,000
      20.0% of Muslim population
      3.4% of total population
      New York
      800,000
      16.0% of Muslim population
      4.7% of total population
      Illinois
      420,000
      8.4% of Muslim population
      3.6% of total population
      New Jersey
      200,000
      4.0% of Muslim population
      2.5% of total population
      Indiana
      180,000
      3.6% of Muslim population
      3.2% of total population
      Michigan
      170,000
      3.4% of Muslim population
      1.8% of total population
      Virginia
      150,000
      3.0% of Muslim population
      2.4% of total population
      Texas
      140,000
      2.8% of Muslim population
      0.7% of total population
      Ohio
      130,000
      2.6% of Muslim population
      1.2% of total population
      Maryland
      70,000
      1.4% of Muslim population
      1.4% of total population

      What comes to your mind now?

      Report Post » Constantine Ivanov  
    • Constantine Ivanov
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 2:25pm

      “How can we eradicate this sick, disgusting cancer from the face of the earth?” you asked.
      My answer is: start eradicating the cancer from the White House, Department of State (Hillary’s staff has close ties to Muzzlems), Capitol Hill, Supreme Court, DOJ, DHS, INS, IRS, TSA, EPA, etc., etc.
      Then – and only then! – will you be able at least to have some leverage in suppressing rabid activities of those human-pieces-lovers.

      Report Post » Constantine Ivanov  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 5:24pm

      They are all Blue States.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 10:24am

    I guess she is safe from ritual stoning.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • Pro-Palin
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:24am

    THE NEW govt IS AWESOME, Like the changes are unreal here , Like the BAN from the courts is SO fair now we feel empowerd. The Bans against Military ‘Virginity Tests’ on Female Detainees” is so awesome now … we just get screwed.

    Report Post » Pro-Palin  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:24am

    Things are really looking up for Muslim women. LOL

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • flavsngrace
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:06am

      It’s baby steps Gonzo… baby steps! :)

      Report Post » flavsngrace  
    • flavsngrace
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:10am

      Hey Gonzo, it’s baby steps, you know? Baby steps…. :)

      Report Post » flavsngrace  
    • lukerw
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:09am

      The Men have to Die in Battle… and go Heaven… to find a Virgin!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:30am

    “…it was an administrative order and not an individual decision.”

    Obama Executive Order number 8967, no doubt!

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • Gary S
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 5:31am

    Bring it down south moooosies. Can you outrun a .380?

    Report Post »  
    • cemerius
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:57am

      NUmbers mixed up? I would have said .308 :)

      Report Post » cemerius  
  • GETLIFE
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 5:17am

    Think of it! Maybe these women can now become one of three or four wives– without proving their virginity first….

    Report Post » GETLIFE  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:55pm

    Another story/reason to thank God we are not in that country!

    Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:33pm

    Here is a thought. How about you keep your ___________ in your pants and you won’t have to worry about getting accused of rape. Or you get female guards for the women. Oh damn, I could have had a V-8.

    Report Post » COFemale  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:23pm

    And just exacly HOW does one test for virginity ??? Hmmmm ??

    Report Post »  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:18pm

    When The Muslim Brotherhood takes over,It wont matter. They will be raped and killed.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • cemerius
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:58am

      Fingers and Toes? lol…..google it I am sure if you really wanted to know?

      Report Post » cemerius  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:49pm

    Now thats“ change we can believe in” going from the 7thcentury to the 8th… Wow wee

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:46pm

    So what happens it they stick it in too far, “Opps, sorry, I guess you fail now.” I guess they would be forced to then marry the attacker.

    This sounds like a very bad episode of “How I met your Mother”.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • Mrs. Bowers
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:41pm

    Oh my God. It would be almost unbearable having to go through such humiliation.

    Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:26pm

      yes unbelievable that they have ever done this. how on earth can that fit in with their “modesty” codes. I am constantly sickened by the extremes people go to in order to moniter others behavior, clothes, business etc. it is disgusting.

      Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:34pm

      But Islam is the religion of peace and tolorance, Christians are the blood thirsty murderers.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Dr Vel
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 4:53am

      If you think this humiliation is bad then you should research what parts they routinely cut out of young women over there. Combine that with all the other ways women are treated why is no one talking about the human rights violations Muslims commit against the women unlucky enough to be born within their jurisdiction. No, no word from the U.N. or any other rights group.

      Report Post »  
  • texasfireguy
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:35pm

    Egypt, boldly stepping into the 19th century.

    Report Post » texasfireguy  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love