FRA approves establishment of five new firms for investment fund management, SME financing    Sukari Gold Mine showcases successful public–private partnership: Minister of Petroleum    Egypt's Environment Minister attends AMCEN conference in Nairobi    Egypt considers launching national platform to mobilise green financing for private-sector industrial transformation    Egyptian, Belarusian officials discuss drug registration, market access    Egypt's ARC, Italy's AICS sign deal to boost wheat production    Gold prices edge higher on July 16th    Egypt stocks hit record highs in 2025 as reforms fuel rally: Cabinet    Egypt condemns Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Syria    Syria says it will defend its territory after Israeli strikes in Suwayda    Pakistan names Qatari royal as brand ambassador after 'Killer Mountain' climb    Health Ministry denies claims of meningitis-related deaths among siblings    Egypt's Health Min. discusses drug localisation with Sandoz    Egypt, Mexico explore joint action on environment, sustainability    Needle-spiking attacks in France prompt government warning, public fear    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, France FMs review Gaza ceasefire efforts, reconstruction    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Egypt's PM urges BRICS to prioritise peace    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt's GAH, Spain's Konecta discuss digital health partnership    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Egyptian activists protest ''virginity tests'' on female protesters
Published in Almasry Alyoum on 02 - 06 - 2011

Dozens protested Wednesday night against military police who had allegedly performed “virginity tests” on female protesters arrested in March.
The protests, which were staged outside a military sports club in Cairo's Heliopolis neighborhood, came a day following a CNN report that quoted a military source as confirming that the military police had performed the tests as a pre-emptive measure to ensure the female activists did not accuse the army of rape and torture. Earlier, Egyptian military officials denied the claim that the checks had been performed.
“What happened on the 9 March and the reason they did the virginity test is simply unacceptable. Isn't it supposed to be sexual harassment to perform such tests? We're here to protect the revolution and reject what happened,” said Islam Abdel Kader, a protestor in front of Galaa Theatre.
Protestors were also angry with the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) for trying civilians in military courts. The council has been criticized for being part of the old regime, and protestors claimed it was working in cahoots with the new “State Security Intelligence.” “1000 people are now in detention camps and have been given a military trail in one night. It's not acceptable to try them only in a day and their parents until now don't know their whereabouts,” said Sahar Abdel Mohsen another protestor.
However, most protestors opposed SCAF rule. In their opinion, the SCAF is going against the revolution's demands and is trying to break up the revolutionary coalition. “They are trying to break us (the revolutionary coalition) in order to present us as weak in front of the people. They claim that we have separate demands but our demands are clear and are one and haven't changed,” said Dareen Khalifa, another protestor.
“They are also trying to turn the people, ‘the silent majority,' against us. We can't let them take away our dignity.”
Protestors were furious with the military council, and some have lost hope that it would lead a transition phase. Protestors were chanting “Hey Marshall, Hey Anan, the legitimacy comes from the Tahrir Square.” Osama al-Hakim, another protestor, said, “They don't take any actions, we're fed up and we want the demands of the revolution to be executed.”
Many activists had wanted to attend the event, but they were not allowed in the conference hall as the military police claimed that the space was already full. Angry activists managed to open the door to the hall. The military promised to bring screens outside, but the activists only became more furious.
“We want to participate, who's inside?” The activists chanted.
Remon Fareed, an activist from the Harket Shabab al-Tagheer (Youth Change Movement) said, “I sent the fax on time, which means I'm one of the attendees; I came one hour early. When I came they didn't let me in and told me if you have a question, write it on paper. He who can't organize an event of 100 guests can't rule a whole country.”
Abdel Hakim Beheiry, another activist from the Etelaf Eza'at al-Thawra (Broadcasting Revolution Coalition), a movement responsible for broadcasting events from Tahrir Square shouted, “This isn't a serious dialogue; it is only a media stunt they are making. This is complete chaos and they don't respect us.”
The SCAF has come under severe criticism in the past two weeks for many reasons which include slow reforms, trying civilians in military tribunals and detaining or questioning those that oppose the military. On Friday, demonstrators in the ‘Second Day of Anger' asked the military expedite reforms and accelerate trials of Mubarak and other corrupt officials. Some demanded the military to step down and a transitional Presidential Council to rule the country until presidential elections. On Tuesday, a protest in front of the military prosecution's building demanded the release of blogger Hossam al-Hamalawy, TV presenter Reem Maged and journalist Nabil Sharaf al-Din. They were later released the same day.


Clic here to read the story from its source.