The European Parliament has strongly condemned sexual assaults on women in Libya and Egypt as well as the forced virginity tests that have taken place in Egypt. In a resolution adopted MEPs stressed that women’s rights must be respected in the new democratic and legal structures of these societies.

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 related to these revolutions.

MEPs call on the Commission and Member State governments to strongly oppose the use of sexual assaults on, and intimidation and targeting of, women in Libya and Egypt. Parliament 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.

The case of a Libyan woman, Iman al-Obeidi, who told international reporters in a Tripoli hotel about being gang-raped by soldiers, and is now being sued for defamation by the men she is accusing of rape is highlighted in the resolution.

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. 

Therefore, for MEPs, specific actions should be taken with a view to achieving an effective and systematic equality approach in the ENP countries.