friskleavemealone

2/Titredurapport–FIDHFIDH–Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt/34/Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt–FIDHI.
INTRODUCTIONSincethemilitarytakeoverinJuly2013andresumedcontrolbythearmyandthepolice,therehasbeenasurgeinsexualviolenceperpetratedbythesecurityforcesinEgypt.
Whilesexualviolencehaslongbeenacharacteristicofstateviolence,todayitindiscriminatelytargetsthoseapprehendedbythesecurityforces:inadditiontoopponentsofGeneralel-Sisi'sregime,victimsincludeNGOrepresentatives,protesters,individualsperceivedasgoingagainstthemoralorder,aswellascommon-lawdetainees.
Suchviolenceiswidespreadindetentioncentres.
Increasinglydiversecategoriesofthepopulationarebeingtargeted:women,students,minorsandLGBTpersonsarebearingthebruntofabusescarriedoutinthenameofsecurity,characterisedbythemultiplicationofarbitraryarrestsanddetention,withsexualviolenceplayingastrategicpart.
FIDHhasdocumentedsexualharassment,rapeandsexualassault,rapewithobjects,analandvaginal"virginitytests"1,electrocutionofgenitalia,sex-baseddefamationandblackmailperpetratedbypolice,statesecurityandmilitarypersonnel.
Suchviolenceisusedtoeliminatepublicprotestwhilelegitimisingtheauthoritiesasguardiansofthemoralorder.
Between2011and2014,FIDHdocumentedsexualviolencecommittedagainstwomeninthepublicsphereinEgypt,fromcasesofmobrapeandsexualassaultperpetratedbyciviliansduringdemonstrationsinandaroundTahrirSquare,todailysexualharassmentinthestreets,onpublictransportandintheworkplace.
InareportpublishedinApril20142,FIDHunderlinedtheState'sresponsibilityforsuchviolations,inparticularbyfailingtoexerciseduediligencetopreventviolence,toeffectivelyinvestigate,prosecuteandsanctionperpetratorsandtoprovideredressandreparationtovictims.
FIDHandEgyptiancivilsocietyorganisationscalledfortheadoptionoftenurgentmeasurestoendviolenceagainstwomen.
3Sincethen,severalpiecemealmeasureshavebeentakenbuttheireffectivenessisreducedbythelackofanoverallstrategy.
Meanwhilesexualviolencehascontinuedunabated.
ThisreportexaminestheuseofsexualviolenceasaweaponofrepressionsincethemilitarytakeoverinJuly2013.
AfterthewaveofmobrapesandsexualassaultsthatmarkedthethreeyearsthatfollowedtherevolutionofJanuary2011,ithighlightsanevolutiontowardsanincreasinglydirectroleofthesecurityforcesintheperpetrationofsexualviolence.
WhilePresidentel-Sisi'sgovernmenthaspubliclyannouncedthatfightingsexualviolenceisapriority,thereportrevealswidespreadsexualviolenceperpetratedagainstwomenandmenduringarrestsanddetentionwhileperpetratorsbenefitfromcompleteimpunity.
Italsolooksatthewayinwhichthepubliclyproclaimedfightagainstsexualviolenceisusedtojustifytighteningstatesecurityandimplementingaprojectaimedat'moralising'society.
Informationcontainedinthisreportisbasedonresearchundertakenattheendof2014inEgypt.
FIDHinterviewedhumanrightsNGOs,lawyersandvictims.
Manyofthetestimoniesarefirst-handaccountsgivenbyvictimsandlawyerstoEgyptianhumanrightsNGOs.
Testimoniescitedfromreportsinthemediaareincludedwhentheytendtosuggestapatterngivingrisetorepeatedaccusations.
1.
"Virginitytesting"isapracticesupposedlyaimedatdeterminingwhetherawomanhashadsexualintercourse,involvinginspectionofthehymenonthefalseassumptionthatitcanonlybetornasaresultofsexualintercourse.
2.
FIDHreport,Egypt:KeepingWomenOut,Sexualviolenceinthepublicsphere,April2014,https://www.
fidh.
org/International-Federation-for-Human-Rights/north-africa-middle-east/egypt/15140-egypt-epidemic-of-sexual-violence-continues3.
FIDHjointstatement:https://www.
fidh.
org/International-Federation-for-Human-Rights/north-africa-middle-east/egypt/egypt-10-urgent-measures-to-end-violence-against-women-in-the-publicvar_mode=calculFIDH–Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt/5ThesevererepressionofindependentNGOsmetedoutbyPresidentel-Sisi'sregimemakesitextremelydifficulttodocumenthumanrightsviolationsgenerally.
Furthermore,giventheillegalstatusoftheMuslimBrotherhood,thegeneralclimateofdistrustwhichdividescivilsocietyandthecontinualdeteriorationofrelationsbetweensupportersoftheMuslimBrotherhoodandnationalhumanrightsNGOssincetheelectionofformerPresidentMohammedMorsi,itisparticularlydifficulttodocumentviolationsoftherightsofmenandwomenwhosupport,orareallegedtosupport,theMuslimBrotherhood.
Thestigmaattachedtosexualviolence,virginityandsexualitymakeitparticularlydifficulttodocumentsuchcrimes.
AsaresultofthreatsdirectedatEgyptianNGOsandthevictims,FIDHhaschosennottomentionthenamesoftheNGOsinterviewedinthisreport.
Pseudonymshavebeenusedtoprotectvictimsandtheirfamilies.
Context:Sexualviolence–ahistoricweaponoftheEgyptianauthoritiesSexualviolenceperpetratedagainstpoliticalopponentsbytheEgyptianintelligenceservices,sincetheircreationbyGamalAbdelNasser,isnowwelldocumented.
LocalNGOshavemonitoredthevariousformsofsexualviolencedeployedbytheEgyptianStateunderHosniMoubarak'sregimetodamagethereputationofopponents,andhavefiledcomplaintsagainstthepolicebeforenationalandinternationalmechanisms.
Inthe1990s,facedwiththeriseinprotestmovements,theMinistryoftheInteriordeployedbaltagiya(thugsorgangs)toinfiltrategroupsofdemonstrators,makingthemappeartobe'depravedelements'frompoorneighbourhoods.
Inthe2000s,astheoppositionwasgaininggroundandwomenandwealthiercitizenswerebecomingmoreapparentinmarches,thebaltagiyasexuallyassaultedwomendemonstratorswithoutanyinterferencebysecurityforcestopreventthem.
On25May2005,'BlackWednesday',fourwomendemonstrators,whohadjoinedaprotestcallingforaboycottofareferendumorganisedbyHosniMoubarak,weresexuallyassaultedinthepresenceofhighrankingofficersoftheMinistryofInteriorandtheriotpoliceinfrontofthepresssyndicateinthecentreofCairo.
Nationalcourtsdismissedthecaseonthegroundsthatitwasimpossibletoidentifytheperpetrators.
WithNGOsupport,thevictimsfiledacomplaintagainsttheEgyptianStatetotheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rights(ACHPR)4.
Theyallegedthatstatesecurityandpoliceofficershadorderedandparticipatedintheassaultsandfailedtointervene,assistorpreventtheassaultsfromtakingplace.
InDecember2011,theACHPRruledthatEgypthadviolatedArticles1,2,3,5,9(2),16(1),18(3)and26oftheAfricanCharter.
TheCommissionfoundthat,"Itisclearthatthesexualassaults.
.
.
wereactsofgender-basedviolence,perpetratedbystateactors,andnon-stateactorsunderthecontrolofstateactors,thatwentunpunished.
Theviolationsweredesignedtosilencewomenwhowereparticipatinginthedemonstrationanddetertheiractivismin[Egyptian]politicalaffairs.
.
.
[TheEgyptianState]inturn,failedinitsinescapableresponsibilitytotakeactionagainsttheperpetrators".
TheCommissioncalledontheEgyptianStatetoamendlegislation,providereparationtovictims,investigateviolationsandbringperpetratorstojustice.
Theserecommendationsremainunimplemented.
Byfocusingtheiractionsondocumentinganddenouncingsexualviolencecommittedbythepoliceagainstbothmenandwomenincludingunionrepresentatives,strikers,prostitutedpersonsandactivists–andbyhighlightingpoliceinactionincasesofmasssexualassaultsperpetratedinpublicplacesduringreligiousfestivities,localNGOshavedrawnattentiontothecomplexitybehindthepersistenceandincreaseofsexualviolenceinEgyptianpublicspaces.
Theiranalyseshaveshownthatthephenomenoncannotbeexplainedonlyasasymptomofa4.
Caseno.
323/06:EgyptianInitiativeforPersonalRights&INTERIGHTSvEgypt;Seehttp://eipr.
org/en/pressrelease/2013/03/14/16576/Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt–FIDHgenderconflictinwhichEgyptianwomenareconfrontedwithatideoffrustrationunleashedbymeninpublicplaces.
Fromthisperspective,widespreadsexualviolenceshouldalsobeanalysedas"theparticularperversionpracticedbytherepressiveSecurityState"5.
Thespreadofsuchviolenceacrossthepublicsphereislinkedtothetoleranceandfosteringofabusesbytheauthorities,inparticulartheMinistryoftheInterior,includingthroughthemaintenanceofaclimateofimpunity.
LocalNGOshavealsounderlinedtheproblematicnatureofthe'security-based'solution,whichadvocatespoliceprotectionasawayofcombatingthisphenomenon.
Accordingtosomecommentators,attheendofthe2000s,"ThesexualharassmentcontroversythathadbegunasathoroughcritiqueofrepressivepolicingandthetortureofdissidentwomenandyouthhadbeenappropriatedbythesecurityState(.
.
.
)asjustificationforextendingpolicebrutality,massarrests,socialcleansingofthecityandthenecessityoftheemergencydecree".
6ThepoliticalunrestwhichfollowedthefallofPresidentHosniMoubarakon11February2011coincidedwithasurgeintheincidenceofmobrapeandsexualassaultduringdemonstrations.
Thisformofsexualviolenceincreaseddramaticallythroughouttheperiodofpoliticaltransition,whichsawthreesuccessiveregimescometopower–firstlyundertheaegisoftheSupremeCounciloftheArmedForces(SCAF),thentheMuslimBrotherhood,theinterimPresidentAdlyMansourandfinallyGeneralAbdelFattahel-Sisi.
BetweenFebruary2011andJanuary2014,morethan500womenwerevictimsofmobrapeandsexualassault.
Documentedcasespeakedduringtheprotestswhichledtothearmyre-takingcontrolofthecountrybetween28Juneand7July2013.
Inthisperiod,Egyptianwomen'srightsNGOsrecorded186sexualattacks.
Theserecurringattackswereperpetratedusingidenticaltactics(surroundingthesurvivorinconcentriccircles,etc.
),withtheparticipationofanopportunisticcrowd.
Theywereimmediatelypresentedbythenewmilitarypowersandthealignedmedia,asproofofageneralmoraldecline,justifyingrenewedcontrolofthecountrybysecurityforces.
"WeallagreethatthereisaprobleminEgypt.
People'smoralsneedcorrecting(…)Icomefromthearmyandinthearmythat'showitworks.
"PresidentAbdelFattahel-Sisi,5May2014(ONTV).
7TheConstitution,adoptedinJanuary2014,guaranteesequalrightsformenandwomenandobligestheStatetotakethenecessarymeasurestoprotectwomenfromallformsofviolence(Art.
11).
Sincethen,severalstepshavebeentakentoincreaseprotectionbuthavebeenpiecemealandinadequate.
On5June2014,adecreeissuedbyinterimpresidentAdlyMansour8introducedtwoamendmentstotheCriminalCode,whichfinallydefinedsexualharassmentandsetdownsentencesofnolessthan6monthsinprisonand/orfinesrangingfrom3,000to5,000EGP(approx.
700USD).
InJuly2014,theSouthCairoCriminalCourtconvicted7menforcrimesincludingforcedmolestationinrelationtomob-sexualassaultswhichtookplaceinTahrirSquareduringtheinaugurationofPresidentel-SisiinJune2014.
5.
SeePaulAmar,2011,"TurningtheGenderedPoliticsoftheSecurityStateInsideOut",InternationalFeministJournalofPolitics,13:3;299-328.
6.
Idem.
In2008,thepolicecarriedoutmassarrestsofteenagersfrompoorneighbourhoodsaccusedof'flirting'inpublicplaces,presentingtheiractionsasavictoryoversexualharassment.
InNovember2008,morethan400teenagerswerearrestedonsuchgrounds.
7.
InterviewwithjournalistsLamissElHadidiandIbrahimIssabroadcaston5May2014onONTV:http://youtu.
be/sEarwqmGbs48.
DecreeNo.
50/2014.
FIDH–Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt/7Theyweresentencedtotermsofimprisonmentrangingfrom20yearstolife.
9Yet,sincethesesymbolictrials,whichearnedEgyptpraisefromtheinternationalcommunity,therehavebeennofurthertrialsformobsexualviolence,despitethefactthatseveralcasesofsexualassaultwerereported,inparticularduringtheEidal-Fitrcelebrationsin2014.
Inparallel,sincethetake-overbythearmyinJuly2013,sexualviolencehasappearedasacentralelementoftheunprecedentedrepressiontowhichopponentsandcivilsocietyaresubjected.
Increasedpoliceimpunityhasallowedforasurgeinabusesgenerallyandsexualviolenceinparticular,againstpoliticalandcommon-lawdetainees,insideandoutsidepolicecustody.
Therelativedeclineinrecordedincidentsofmobrapeandsexualassaultsincethebeginningofel-Sisi'stermofofficecouldbelinkedmoretotheabsolutebanondemonstrations10thantothesuccessofthefewtokenmeasuresadoptedtopunishcrimesofsexualviolence.
Theongoingthreatofsexualviolenceagainstdemonstratorsisnowperceivedasoneofmanythreatspreventingtheorganisationofprotestsagainsttheregime.
Meanwhile,theincreasedpresenceofthesecurityforces,forwhomsexualviolenceremainsroutinepractice,contributestothespreadandnormalisationofviolenceinthepublicsphere.
Themultiplicationofarbitraryarrests11hastargetedanincreasinglydiverserangeofvictims:women,refugees,minors,students,opponentstotheregimeorotherwise,andLGBTpersonsarenowfrequentvictimsofsexualviolenceperpetratedwithcompleteimpunitybythesecurityforces.
SeveralelementssupportthefindingthatsexualviolenceistoleratedbytheEgyptianauthorities,andfosteredbytheclimateofimpunity,aspartofastrategywhichaimsnotonlytoeradicatetheoppositionbutalso,morebroadly,tostiflecivilsociety.
Thewidespreadsexualviolencecommittedagainstpoliticalprisonersandthethreats,blackmailanddefamationtowhichtheyaresubjectedcontributetothegeneralpoliticisationofsexualviolence,aimedbothatstampingoutrevoltanddemonisingtheopposition.
Victims'testimoniesindicatetheuseofsexualviolenceasameansofrepressionaimedatexertingcontroloverthepublicsphereandimposingastrictmoralorder.
Organisedviolence,suchasthecampaignofrepressioninitiatedinautumn2013againstLGBTpersons,isusedtoconferamoralandreligiouslegitimacyontheregimeandtojustifythestrengtheningofStatesecurity.
Suchviolencetendstobetoleratedbythecriminaljusticesystemandinthemedia.
Ittakesplacewithinapervasiveclimateofviolence,whichhasdividedpublicopinionsincethecoupof3July,andbenefitsfromtheblankchequehandedtothearmyasaresultofitsconsiderablepopularity.
9.
Thedefendendantswerealsoconvictedofuseofforceandthuggery,robbery,kidnappingandfalseimprisonment.
SeeFIDHstatement:https://www.
fidh.
org/International-Federation-for-Human-Rights/north-africa-middle-east/egypt/15762-egypt-impunity-for-sexual-violence-must-end10.
Lawof24November2013.
11.
AccordingtoNGOs,upto40,000peoplewerearrestedorfacedchargesbetween3July2013toMay2014;Accordingtostatementsbystateofficialstothemedia,16,000individualswerearrestedinthewakeofthemilitarytake-over.
8/Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt–FIDHTestimoniesgatheredbyFIDHindicatethatsexualviolenceisusedwiththeknowledgeofagentsoftheMinistryoftheInteriorandthearmedforces,withoutmeasurestoaddressandpreventsuchviolence.
Itreliesontheparticipationandcoordinationofthepolicedepartments,theCentralSecurityForces(alAmnal-Markazi),NationalSecurityIntelligence(Mabahithal-Amnal-Watani),CriminalIntelligenceservices(Al-Mabahithal-Gina'iya,commonlyreferredtoasAl-Mabahith)andtheMilitaryIntelligence(Al-Mukhabaratal-Harbyya),abranchofthearmywhichwasunderthecommandofthecurrentpresident,AbdelFattahel-Sisiuntil2012.
FIDHcallsontheEgyptiangovernmenttoendalluseofandtoleranceofsexualviolencebyforcesunderitscommandorcontrol,andtoinvestigateandpunishthoseresponsibleinaccordancewithitsobligationsunderinternationallaw.
TheEgyptianstatemustalsoexerciseduediligencetopreventviolencebynon-stateactors12andensurethatperpetratorsareeffectivelyinvestigated,prosecutedandsanctioned.
12.
ICCPR,Article2;HumanRightsCommittee,GeneralComment31;CEDAWCommitteeGeneralComment19FIDH–Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt/9II.
SECURITYABUSESANDWIDESPREADSEXUALVIOLENCEWidespreadsexualviolenceinthepublicsphereTheincreaseinthenumberofdocumentedcasesofsexualassaultperpetratedbymembersofthesecurityforcessincethetakeoverofpowerbythearmedforceson3July2013suggestsadirectlinkbetweenthesecurityclampdownandtheriseinsexualviolence.
"SexualviolencepractisedbylawenforcementofficersinEgypthasneverstopped,ithasneverbeencondemned.
Whathaschangedisthescaleofthearrestswhichincreasesthenumberofcasesofsexualassault.
"E.
,memberofanEgyptianhumanrightsorganisation.
"Thenumberofcasesofsexualassaultandtheirgravityaremuchgreaterthaninthepre-revolutionsituation.
Andsexualassaultisvirtuallysystematicinthecaseofarrest.
"S.
,memberofanEgyptianwomen'srightsorganisation.
Incertainpolicestations,likethenotoriousQasrAlNilstationinCairo,reportsofsexualviolenceareparticularlywidespread.
"Theythrewmeintoacellinthebasement.
Thereweretwomenintherewitherectionswearingonlyunderwearwhothrewthemselvesatme.
Icriedoutsomuchtheyendeduplettingmeout.
"H.
student,arrestedon19November2013afteraprotestagainstthearmyanddetainedforoneweekinQasrAlNil.
AccordingtoreportsdocumentedbyFIDH,theincreaseinthephysicalpresenceofthepolice,armyandsecurityservicesinthepublicsphereisleadingtothespreadofsexualviolence,beyondtheconfinesofpolicestationsanddetentioncentres.
Sexualviolenceiscarriedoutindiscriminatelyatcheckpoints,inthemetro,attheentrancetouniversities,oncampuses,inhospitals,attheentrancetocourtsanddetentioncentresduringsecuritychecks,insportsfacilitiesandprivatehomesduringtargetedraids.
Reportsofsexualviolencepublishedonlineinvideosandtestimoniestendtosupportthisfinding.
InOctober2014,bodysearchesofstudentsbysecuritypersonnelandsecurityofficersresponsibleforguardingtheentrancetouniversitycampusesandthepresenceofbaltagiyaoncampusescontributedtoawaveofprotestswithinuniversities.
Videossharedonsocialnetworks13recordedsexualharassmentofwomenstudentsbysecurityagentsinplainclothesontheAlAzharUniversitycampusinCairo:agentscanbeseenrunningafterwomendemonstratorsandgrabbingtheirbuttocksandbreasts.
13.
http://youtu.
be/tYmsjlEkZS010/Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt–FIDHThewidespreadsexualharassmentofyoungwomenduringbody-searchesattheentrancestouniversities,courtsanddetentioncentres,bymaleandfemalesecurityagents,tendstoindicateapolicyofhumiliation.
Internationalstandardsprovidethatmeasuresmustbetakentoensurethatwomen'sdignityisprotectedduringpersonalsearches,whichshouldonlybecarriedoutbywomenstaffproperlytrainedinappropriatesearchingmethodsandinaccordancewithestablishedprocedures14.
"ThismorningthebodysearchwascarriedoutbyamalememberoftheFalconsecurityteam.
Somegirlslethimfrisktheirbodiesbutwhenhetriedtoseethefaceofafemalestudentinaniqab,tensionescalatedandotherfemalestudentsintervenedtodefendthegirl.
Thesecurityagentthenhitherwithhispen.
Heresumedthebodysearcheswiththehelpofthreewomen.
Oneofthem,whowasharassingthegirls,friskedonlytheirgenitalareaandbreasts.
Thisprovokedanotherdisputebetweenastudent,thewomandoingthefriskingandthesecurityagent,afterwhichthestudent'sniqabwasrippedoffandshewasledawaytothegroundfloorofthefacultyofsocialsciences.
AFalconagentandamemberofinternalsecuritycametoquestionher.
Theythreatenedtohandherovertothepoliceandhitherwhensherefusedtoswitchonhermobile.
Herdetentionlastedalmostanhourandahalf.
Theythenarrestedthefemalestudentswhohadtakenphotosoftheattackandwipedtheirmobilephones.
"15TestimonyofawomanstudentatAlAzhar,MedinatNasrwomen'scampusinCairo,documentedandpublishedby"StudentsagainsttheCoup",agroupclosetotheMuslimBrotherhood,October2014.
Thistestimonycouldnotbeverifiedindependently.
Wide-rangingvictimsofsexualviolenceTheproliferationofarbitraryarrestsatdemonstrationsandthewitchhuntlaunchedbytheregimeagainstmembersoftheMuslimBrotherhoodandtheirsupposedsympathisersareevidenceofcollectiverepressionthathasaffectedallcategoriesofthepopulation.
AccordingtotheEgyptianObservatoryforRightsandFreedoms(EORF),"Previously,arrestsinthestreetmainlytargetedmenandyoungpeople.
Butsince3July2013,ithasbeenquiteclearthattheyalsotargetchildren,women,younggirlsandolderpeopleofbothsexes.
Andthatthesecurityforcesdonotmissanopportunitytoarrestandterroriseallsectionsofthepopulation.
"16Arrestsareincreasinglymotivatedbyexternalappearances–clothing,veil,beardorhaircut–interpretedassignsofbelongingtotheIslamistorrevolutionarymovementortotheLGBTcommunity.
Thewearingoftheniqab(fullveil),khimar(veilcoveringtheforeheadandthechest),t-shirtswiththeslogan"Nototorture",keffiehsbearingthedate"25January",tight-fittingtrousersort-shirtsonmen(astyleperceivedaseffeminate),areseenassufficientjustificationforquestioning.
14.
Forexample,UnitedNationsRulesfortheTreatmentofWomenPrisonersandNon-custodialMeasuresforWomenOffenders(the"BangkokRules"),Rule1915.
http://youtu.
be/WqIEUk-phhE16.
EgyptianObservatoryforRightsandFreedoms,2014ReportFIDH–Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt/11WomenWomen,treatedasthe"guarantors"ofcollectiveidentityandbearingtheburdenofthisrole,areparticulartargetsofsecurityabuses.
"Womenaretargetedinthemajorityofcasesbecauseoftheeasewithwhichtheirreligious,tribalorpoliticalaffiliationcanbejudgedfromtheirexternalappearance,clothingorbehaviour.
Violenceagainstwomenisthusoftencollectiveviolenceagainstthecommunitytowhichthewomenbelong.
"InternalreportofanEgyptianhumanrightsNGO.
Womenhavebeenamongthefirstvictimsofthepoliticalpolarisationtriggeredbythemilitarycoupof3July2013,betweentheMuslimBrotherhoodandsupportersofthearmy.
Thosewearingtheniqab,khimarorSyrian-styleveils(perceivedassignsofsympathyfortheIslamistmovement)havebeentargetedbysupportersofGeneralel-Sisi,whilewomennotwearingtheveil,perceivedtobeChristians,havebeenthreatenedbyIslamists,inparticularinthesouthofEgypt.
Theyhavebeensubjecttoreprisals,kidnapping,arbitraryarrestsandpolicebrutality,includingcrimescommittedbythesecurityforcesduringhouseraids.
Theyhavebeentargetedbothbythepopulationandthesecurityforces.
Testimoniespublishedinthepressreportwomenbeingmolestedandthreatenedduringraidsonhomesconductedbythesecurityforces.
InthevillageofMatay,nearMinya,on27June2014,thejournalAlWafdreportedthatacomplaintwasfiledagainst7policeofficersandmembersoftheCentralSecurityServicewhena55-year-oldwoman,RaqyaAbuBakrAbdelWahab,diedafterbeingthrownofftheroofofherhousebypoliceofficerslookingforweaponswithoutawarrantat3o'clockinthemorning.
17SimilarcaseshavebeenreportedinKerdasaandAl-FayouminAprilandMay2014.
InSeptember2014,awomaninterviewedonElBaladtelevisionaccusedapoliceofficerofhavingrammedthedoorofataxiintothestomachofherpregnantsisteratablockadeinDahab,causingthedeathofthechild.
18Severalincidentshavebeendocumentedofwomenbeingarbitrarilydetainedandusedasbargainingtoolsbythepoliceinordertoputpressureonsuspectsanddetainees.
AnNGOdefendingtherightsofdetainees,reportedthearrestofthemotherandsisterofthestudentA.
E.
ontwooccasionsinAugust2014.
TheywereheldatapolicestationatNewDamietteinordertoforceA.
E.
toturnhimselfintothepolice.
Theywerefreedfourhoursafterhegavehimselfup.
"AtMedinatNasrpolicestation,[policeofficers]beatmesaying'youseewhatyourhusbandisdoingtoyouthentheymademeentertheroomwherehewasandtriedtorapeme.
Myhusbandbeggedthemtoleavemealone,shouting'Lethergo,I'mgoingtotalk'.
Theysaidtohim'No,speakfirstandwe'lllethergoafter.
'(.
.
.
)Theypulledoffmyveilandstartedagain;Ibeganscreaming.
Myhusbandsaidtothem'Forpity'ssakestop,tellmewhatIhavetosay,tellmewhatI'maccusedof,I'llsayeverythingthatyouwantmeto(.
.
.
).
'Theymademesitwithmyhandstiedandsaid'Goon,we'llhangherfromthedoortomakehimtalk'.
Myhusbandcontinuedtobegthem,saying'Idon'tevenknowwhatyou'reaccusingmeof!
'"A.
,wifeofadetainee,atthepremisesofanEgyptianNGOon23June2014.
Sexualassaultagainstwomeniswidespreadduringarrests.
"Thelikelihoodofbeingsexuallyassaultedwhenyouarearrestedisextremelyhigh,especiallyifyouareawoman.
Thisfactislinkedtoamoregeneralcontextinwhichthepoliceconsiderittheirdutytodisciplineprisoners.
"D.
,memberofanEgyptianhumanrightsNGO.
17.
http://www.
alwafd.
org18.
http://m.
almasryalyoum.
com/news/details/52205312/Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt–FIDHTheriskofsexualassaultappliestoallcommonlawdetainees.
Womendetaineesareusuallyguardedbymen,inbreachofinternationalstandards19.
InSeptember2014,apoliceofficerinImbabawaschargedwithrapingadisabledwomandetaineeaftervideorecordingsprovidedevidenceofhiscrime.
Thewomanwasrapedwhilebeingheldincustodyawaitinga"medicalexamination"aftershefiledacomplaintforsexualharassment.
Herdetentionwasthenextendedforafurther24hoursandshehadtoundergoasecondexaminationafterareportwasorderedbytheprosecution20.
Accordingtomediareports,thetrialagainstthepoliceofficerstartedandhasbeenpostponedseveraltimes.
Therehavealsobeenmanyreportsofsexualviolenceagainstwomenpoliticalprisonersandactivistsarrestedduringstreetprotests21.
Womenarrestedinorontheedgesofdemonstrationsagainsttheregimeareregularlysubjectedtosexualviolenceandotherabuses.
Theirscarvesareoftenpulledofforareusedtodragthemalongtheground.
Obligatorybodysearchesbypoliceofficersandsoldiersareusedtogrope,andsometimesrape,withfingersbeinginsertedintothevagina.
Duringinspectionsinprison,womenaremadetostriptotheirunderwearandareharassedbymaleandfemaleguards.
"Attheendofaconferenceorganisedon25May2014insupportoftheactivistMahienourAlMasry,wewereattackedinaraidledbythechiefoftheAlexandriaCriminalIntelligence(Mabahith),NasserAlAbd.
Theyarrestedagroupofyoungpeopleandhitayoungwoman,removingherclothingonthestaircase(…)theymadeuskneeldownwithourhandsbehindourheadsandwhoevermovedwashitinthebackwiththeirweapons.
Theythentooktheyoungwomentoonesideandfriskeduswithourfacestowardsthewall,sexuallyharassingusandinsultingus.
ItriedtoremovethehandofoneoftheCentralSecuritysoldiersfrommytrousers,sothentheybeatmewiththeirweaponsuntilIcouldnolongerresist.
(…)ThechiefoftheCentralSecurityServicecametohurlinsultsatusandsaidtome'Comeon,takeyourgirlfriend'shand,theslut,forarealmarriage.
'"22K.
,memberofanEgyptianhumanrightsNGO.
"Thewomenguardscameatdawntodragusalongthefloorwithoutgivingustimetocoverourselvesappropriately(…).
Theylinedusupfacingthewallandweweresurroundedbymembersoftheanti-riotforceandtheguardsthenstartedfriskinguswhileundressingusandharassingus.
Theytookmeintotheroomwheretheprisonersdrytheirlaundry.
Shepulledoffmyclothes,forcingmetogonaked,Itriedtopushheroffbutthereweretwootherswhowerehelpingher.
Ifoundmyselfcompletelynakedandtheyputtheirhands[inmyvagina].
Itwashorrible.
"S.
,student,detaineeatQanaterwomen'sprison,interviewedbyAlJazeera23.
Thistestimonycouldnotbeverifiedindependently.
Duringrepressionagainststudentsatthestartofthe2014academicyear,youngwomenwereparticularlytargetedbythesecurityforces,inparticularattheUniversityofAlAzhar,astrongholdofIslamistopposition:"TheUniversityofAlAzharisnowrunanddirectedbyarmedgangsandthesecurityforcespersistentlyviolateitsimmunity.
Thisisparticularlytrueforyoungwomen.
TherehavebeenmanyinstancesofoffensiveactsagainstgirlsbyagentsofthesecurityfirmFalcon.
"MahmoudAl-Azhary,spokespersonfortheunionofstudentsatAlAzhar,October2014.
19.
StandardMinimumRulesfortheTreatmentofPrisoners1955andUnitedNationsRulesfortheTreatmentofWomenPrisonersandNon-custodialMeasuresforWomenOffenders(the"BangkokRules")20.
http://m.
almasryalyoum.
com/news/details/51213821.
Seefurtherbelow.
22.
http://www.
albedaiah.
com/node/5162223.
http://youtu.
be/9FOGZ2UbPuUFIDH–Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt/13Accordingtothegroup'StudentsagainsttheCoup',anoppositionmovementclosetotheMuslimBrotherhood,severalAlAzharstudentsweretakenawayinwhitemini-busesbysoldiersinplainclothesinOctober2014.
Somehavedisappaered,includingA.
,whodisappearedfor17daysafterhavingbeenarrestedon20October2014infrontoftheuniversity.
AccordingtolocalNGOs,althoughothercasesofrapehavebeenreported,documentingthemisextremelyproblematicgiventhatdirecttestimonyofsexualviolenceismoredifficulttoobtainthanforotherformsoftorture,andonlyahandfulofcomplaintshavebeenfiled.
Victimsareoftendiscouragedfromfilingcomplaintsagainsttheiraggressorsforfearofscandal,evenbytheirownlawyers.
"IsawanofficerwhowasgrabbingayoungwomanbythebreastsandIsaidtohim'ifyouwanttoarresther,thenarresther,butyouhavenorighttotouchherbreasts.
'Hereplied:'Youthinkyou'reamanorwhat'andhegrabbedmeexactlyashehadher,beforecallingtwootherpoliceofficerstocomeandholdme.
Theybeatme,insultedme.
Iwaswearingjeans,ashortblouseandredshoes,notIslamistorMuslimBrotherhoodclothing,notevenprotestclothes.
Onarrivalatthevan,myveilhadfallenoff,myblousewastornandmytrousershalfdown.
InthevantheyinsultedmeandbeatmesomuchthatIcouldnolongerstandup.
Twosoldiersstartedtosexuallyassaultme.
Therewasonewhowasashamedandwhoaskedthemtostop.
Theytoldhimtokeepquiet.
Theofficerfromthestartgotintothevanandsaidtome'ComehereI'mgoingtoshowyouifI'maman'.
Hesexuallyassaultedme,thesoldierslaughed,andthenherapedmecompletely.
Hetookoffhistrousersandsatonmychestandonmyhands,heputhispenisinmymouth,once,twice,threetimes.
Iwasparalysed,Istartedtovomitblood.
Hewentdownalongmychestandputhiswholebodyagainstmine.
Itoldhimhecouldn'tdothat.
Hehitmeonthelegs,spreadmylegsandrapedmewhileinsultingme.
(…)Mylifeisruined.
I'mafraidofmyson,myhusbandandevenmyfather.
"N.
astudentatAlAzhar,arrestedinfrontoftheuniversityon28December2013.
.
N.
TestifiedontheinformationwebsiteYanairon1July2014,thenonAlJazeeraMoubashirMisr.
Herlawyerlatertestifiedthatheadvisedhernottofileacomplaintforfearofscandal.
Nolegalproceedingswerelaunchedinthecase.
StudentsSexualassaultsalsoaffectmaleandfemalestudentsarrestedduringdemonstrations.
InvarioustestimoniespublishedbyTheObserverandTheGuardiannewspapers,aswellasbyAmnestyInternational24,studentshavetoldofhowtheyhavebeenrapedbyofficers,sometimesinplainclothes,followingasimilarpattern.
N.
,a19-year-oldstudentleaderbelongingtotheMuslimBrotherhood,andH.
,aCopticstudentwhowasprotestingagainstmilitaryrepression,reportedthattheyhadbeenrapedrepeatedlyinsimilarwaysinpolicestationsintheeastandcentreofCairoon8Januaryand28March2014.
"Heaskedmemanyquestions,buthedidn'tlikemyanswers.
Soheasked[ajuniorpoliceman]toputhismiddlefingerinmyass.
Andhedidit,twice".
H.
,interviewedbyTheGuardian.
2524.
See,AmnestyInternational,"Egypt:Rampanttorture,arbitraryarrestsanddetentionssignalcatastrophicdeclineinhumanrightsoneyearafteroustingofMorsi",3July2014http://www.
amnesty.
org/en/news/egypt-anniversary-morsi-ousting-2014-07-0225.
April2014,http://www.
theguardian.
com/world/2014/apr/12/egypt-police-rape-dissidents-crackdown-16000-arrested14/Exposingstatehypocrisy:sexualviolencebysecurityforcesinEgypt–FIDHN.
addedthathewasalsogivenelectricshockstohisgenitalsandH.
saidthathewassexuallyassaultedbyapoliceofficerwhengoingtothetoiletduringhis42daysindetention.
Thesimilaritybetweentheassaultsdocumentedsuggeststheexistenceofestablishedpracticessharedbythesecurityforces.
InJune2014,allegationsofrapeperpetratedonfourstudentsheldatnumber2policestationinAssioutwerebroadcastonthepro-MuslimBrotherhoodtelevisionchannel,RabiaTV.
26MinorsThetakeoverbytheMinistryoftheInteriorofseveraljuveniledetentioncentreshascoincidedwithawaveofsexualassaultsagainstminors.
Theallegedperpetratorsaremainlyadultprisoners,whoaredetainedalongsidechilddetainees,inbreachofinternationalstandards27.
Prisonguards,othersecuritypersonnelandprisongovernorshavefailedtotakemeasurestopreventsuchattacksandeffectivelyinvestigateallegations.
AccordingtotwolocalhumanrightsNGOs,atleast570childrenhavebeenarrestedforpoliticalreasonssince3July2013butthisfigureisthoughttobebelowtherealnumber,asinmanycasestheageofthesedetaineesisnotrecordedorisfalsifiedsothatthepolicearenotaccusedofdetainingchildrenwithadults.
28SinceNovember2013,manyminorshavebeenarrestedduringunauthorisedprotests,othershavebeenarrestedattheirhomesorduringfootballmatches.
29LawyersandNGOsdenouncetheabnormallyhighlevelofsecurityservicepersonnelatdetentioncentresforminors,wherepoliceofficersandCentralSecurityagents(alAmnal-Markazi)arenowmorenumerousthansocialworkers.
30AccordingtooneNGO,atleast16complaintshavebeenlodgedbyparentsofdetainedchildren,allegingthattheirsonshavebeenvictimsofphysicalassault.
AnotherNGOhasbeeninformedoftensexualassaults,includingseveralrapes(hatk'3ird)31ofminorsbyadultprisonersattheElEqabiyadetentioncentreinAlMarginthenorth-eastofCairo.
InAugust2014,threetestimoniesbroadcastbythejournalistMonaSalmanontheprivatechannelDreamTVreportedwidespreadrapecommittedinEqabiyadetentioncentre,wherearound90minorsaredetainedalongsideadultcriminals,underthesupervisionofCriminalIntelligenceservices(Al-Mabahithal-Gina'iya).
26.
http://youtu.
be/nzHOaS4CJrc27.
UNConventionontheRightsoftheChild,ratifiedbyEgyptin1990,Article37(c);UNStandardMinimumRulesfortheTreatmentofPrisoners,8(d)28.
http://aohr.
org.
uk/images/reports/atfal.
pdf29.
http://english.
ahram.
org.
eg/NewsContent/1/64/113508/Egypt/Politics-/Egypts-Detained-Minors-A-Hardship-Untold.