by Cristina Finch, AIUSA Managing Director – Women’s Human Rights Program
Amnesty International researchers near Tahrir Square have uncovered a disturbing wave of rape and other sexual violence against women sweeping through demonstrations in Egypt. With alarming frequency, women and girls demonstrating near Tahrir Square are being sexually assaulted by mobs. Authorities have turned their backs on survivors.
In the past few days, survivor stories have been pouring in, and they paint a horrific scene. Tens if not hundreds of men isolate and surround a woman or girl (sometimes even separating mother and daughter), tearing off her clothes and veil, unzipping her trousers, and groping her breasts and backside. Sticks, blades and other weapons are used in these attacks.