BREAKING NEWS

Egyptian military pledges to stop forced 'virginity tests'

By JPOST.COM STAFF

JUNE 28, 2011 13:07

The head of Egypt’s military intelligence Maj.-Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has promised that the army will no longer carry out forced "virginity tests," according to a press release by Amnesty International.

Amnesty International said Tuesday that according to the major-general the tests "had been carried out on female detainees in March to "protect" the army against possible allegations of rape. Such forced tests would not be carried out again."

“Subjecting women to such degrading procedures hoping to show that they were not raped in detention makes no sense, and was nothing less than torture," the press release stated. "The government should now provide reparation to the victims, including medical and psychological support, and apologize to them for their treatment.”

The subject of human rights abuses has come under heavy discussion recently due to the military trials of thousands of citizens, and reports of violent abuses by army officers when clearing Tahrir Square during demonstrations. According to some of those detained the abuses included electric shocks, beatings and "forced virginity tests." Women were also threatened with prostitution charges.

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