Stop Sexual Assault of Female Egyptian Prisoners
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: Chairman Mohamed Hussein Tantawi
When Salwa Hosseini, 20, was arrested at a protest in Tahrir Square, she was forced to strip naked in front of photograph-snapping male soldiers. Then, she and the other female prisoners underwent "virginity tests." If their tests came up negative, they would be savagely beaten and arrested for prostitution.
According to Amnesty International, "virginity tests" can be considered a form of torture and sexual assault when they are inflicted by force. Last week, a senior Egyptian general affirmed the hostile nature of these practices, arguing, "They weren't virgins in the first place."
Female protesters in Egypt should not be punished and sexually tortured for standing up for their beliefs. Tell the governing Egyptian Military Council that these human rights violations cannot continue.
Dear Chairman Mohamed Hussein Tantawi,
I am writing to express my outrage at the reports of continuing abuse of female prisoners in Egypt.
Just last week, a senior Egyptian general confirmed the use of "virginity tests" in Egyptian military prisons. Reports from Amnesty International include accounts of beating, electrocution, and accusations of prostitution against female detainees.
[Your comments here]
"Virginity tests" and other tortures are egregious violations of human rights and must be stopped. I urge you to discontinue their use as punishments for female Egyptian protesters.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
