Egypt Detainees: They Gave Us 'Virginity Tests'

Amnesty International calls on government to investigate women's claims
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 24, 2011 2:30 PM CDT
Egypt Detainees: They Gave Us 'Virginity Tests'
Egyptian soldiers patrol a protest in Tahrir Square in this file photo from last week.   (AP Photo/Grace Kassab)

A group of female protesters detained by Egyptian soldiers say they were beaten, stripped, given electric shocks, and humiliated with so-called "virginity tests" while male soldiers were allowed to watch and take photos, reports AOL News. The women complained to Amnesty International, which found the allegations credible and demanded that the new government investigate. (Amnesty's report is here.)

The 18 women were arrested in Tahrir Square not during the protests to oust Hosni Mubarak, but in a rally weeks after he left office. They were told they'd be charged with prostitution if they failed the virginity tests. “Forcing women to have 'virginity tests' is utterly unacceptable," Amnesty says. "Its purpose is to degrade women because they are women." For more, click here. (More Egypt stories.)

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