Egypt conducts forced anal exams

MENA

Published: 2017-09-30 17:48

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 12:23


The Egyptian government once again cracks down on the queer community through human rights abuses. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter)
The Egyptian government once again cracks down on the queer community through human rights abuses. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

Six Egyptian men were arrested in Cairo for “promoting sexual deviancy” and “debauchery” on social media, will be subjected to forced anal examinations before their trial on October 1st, according to Amnesty International.

The arrest follows renewed crackdowns from the Sisi regime on the LGBTQ+ community, when a group of people were seen raising the rainbow flag during a Mashrou' Leila concert. 

Amnesty states that at least 11 people were arrested, with one man sentenced to 6 years in jail, adding that the Forensic Medical Authority was due to subject the six men to anal examinations to determine whether they have had homosexual sex.

“Allegations of torturing or insulting those medically examined are lies not worth responding to. The examinations are carried out by a forensic doctor who swore to respect his profession and its ethics,” one judicial source said.

“The fact that Egypt’s Public Prosecutor is prioritizing hunting down people based on their perceived sexual orientation is utterly deplorable. These men should be released immediately and unconditionally – not put on trial,” said Najia Bounaim, North Africa Campaigns Director at Amnesty International.

“Forced anal examinations are abhorrent and amount to torture. The Egyptian authorities have an appalling track record of using invasive physical tests which amount to torture against detainees in their custody. All plans to carry out such tests on these men must be stopped immediately,” she added.

Although homosexuality is not specifically outlawed in Egypt, the conservative society is highly discriminatory. Non-heterosexuals are frequently arrested and typically charged with debauchery, immorality or blasphemy.

The largest crackdown on homosexuals took place in 2001, when police raided a floating disco called the Queen Boat. Fifty-two men were tried in the case.

It is worth nothing that anal exams have no scientific evidence of indicating whether an individual engaging in anal sex.