Brussels, 08/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution adopted by show of hands, the European Parliament (EP) sitting in plenary session in Strasbourg on Thursday 7 April, strongly condemned sexual assaults on women in Libya and Egypt and also the forced “virginity tests” that have taken place in Egypt. Women's rights must be respected in the new democratic and legal structures of these societies, MEPs say in a resolution.
The EP calls on the Commission and member state's governments “to strongly oppose the use of sexual assaults on, and intimidation and targeting of, women in Libya and Egypt”. It also “strongly condemns forced 'virginity tests' inflicted by the Egyptian army on women protesters arrested in Tahrir Square and considers this practice as unacceptable, as it amounts to a form of torture”. Parliament believes that “the changes taking place in North Africa and the Middle East must contribute towards the ending of discrimination against women and their full participation in society on equal terms with men”. It calls for specific action to be taken to achieve an effective and systematic equality approach in the European neighbourhood policy countries.
Parliament points out that women have actively participated in the uprisings for more democracy, rights and freedoms in North Africa and the Middle East but that the incumbent regimes in Libya and Egypt have resorted to sexual assaults as part of the conflict surrounding these revolutions. (G.B./transl.rt)