Rights groups exhort gov’t to combat sexual violence

A group of Egyptian and international human rights organizations issued a joint statement on Monday calling for swift state action against sexual violence.

Women in Egypt have increasingly been stripped of their right to access public space due to rising rates of sexual violence and harassment, argued the coalition, which is headed by the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

But even as sex crimes continue to worsen, the aggressors have complete impunity with regards to the Egyptian government, they claimed.

“The current climate of impunity fuels further crimes. Crimes against all survivors, whether committed by state officials or by non-state actors, must be independently, impartially and fully investigated with a view to bringing those responsible to justice. In particular, recently reported crimes of sexual violence against detainees in official and unofficial detention centers must be immediately investigated,” the statement demanded.

“The authorities must demonstrate the political will to combat sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence in all its forms. A holistic approach is required to tackle the epidemic of sexual violence in Egypt, and make public space a safe place for women, where they can exercise their right to participate fully in public life, with full respect for their right to bodily integrity,” the organizations continued. “Comprehensive reforms are required, not only of criminal laws and procedures, but also to address the sources of discrimination against women.”

The statement listed 10 demands, chief among them that the government publicize its national strategy to combat sexual violence, which should include the active participation of local civil society groups. Furthermore, authorities must conduct an independent investigation into cases of systematic sexual harassment against women in Tahrir Square from January 25, 2011 through the present.

The government must “reform legislation to criminalize all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, marital rape and sexual harassment, in accordance with international standards. In particular, amend Articles 267, 268 and 269 in the Egyptian Penal Code to include definitions of rape, including anal rape, oral rape, and rape by other parts of the body and objects, and a definition of sexual assault and sexual harassment,” the statement continued.

The Cabinet recently introduced some Penal Code reforms to criminalize sexual harassment, including harsher sentences for convicted perpetrators. However, women’s rights activists say these amendments are not enough.

The organizations also recommended training all those who work in the justice system — including police personnel, members of the prosecution, judges, social workers and forensic teams — on investigative procedures for sex crimes. Establishing procedures to help and protect women who are subject to sexual violence also topped the list of demands.

Training doctors and nurses on how to treat the survivors of these crimes is equally important, the statement added.

The organizations also exhorted state actors and political and religious leaders to condemn sexual violence, and called on the government to launch active campaigns against gender discrimination and sexual violence. It is also necessary to ensure proper coordination between different government bodies to implement the state’s national strategy, the statement noted.

Finally, the organizations demanded that the appropriate authorities maintain up-to-date records on violence against women, and guarantee transparency by making these records available to the public.