AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
Egypt law-makers blame women victims for sexual violence
Amnesty International condemns comments by Egyptian members of parliament which blamed
women protesters for a recent spate of sexual assaults in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
The remarks were made on Monday during a session of the Human Rights Committee of the
Shura Council, Egypt’s upper house of Parliament.
Members of the Committee were reported to have said that women had brought the attacks
upon themselves by attending the protests; that they bore responsibly for the attacks; and that
women should not mingle with men during demonstrations.
The remarks reveal deep-seated discriminatory attitudes that throw into question the
authorities’ determination to eliminate sexual violence.
Amnesty International has expressed particular concern that such attitudes were voiced in the
Shura Council, which in the coming months is likely be asked to consider new legislation to
tackle sexual- and gender- based violence.
The organization has said it is difficult to see how an effective law to combat sexual violence
could be passed by law-makers who believe that women are to blame.
Amnesty International urges the Egyptian authorities to publicly condemn all sexual
harassment and gender-based violence.
A clear and unambiguous message is needed that women are not responsible, and that they
have the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
Egypt is a state party to international human rights treaties which prohibit all forms of
discrimination, including on the basis of gender and requires the authorities to ensure gender-
equality.
In particular, under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women, the Egyptian authorities are obliged to ensure officials refrain from engaging in any
act or practice of discrimination against women.
In a
briefing documenting the attacks
published 6 February 2013, Amnesty International
called on the Egyptian authorities to order independent investigations into the attacks in Tahrir
Square, and ensure the perpetrators are found and brought to justice in fair trials.
BACKGROUND
Violent sexual assaults against women, including rapes, have surged in the vicinity of Cairo’s
iconic Tahrir Square in recent months.
They peaked on 25 January 2013 during protests commemorating the second anniversary of
the start of the 2011 uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak. The attacks have been
carried out by groups of men and have lasted from a few minutes to over an hour.