Egypt Bans Virginity Tests

An Egyptian court on Tuesday banned virginity tests for female detainees, months after women arrested in a March rally on Tahrir Square alleged they were forced to take the examinations. Samira Ibrahim, 25, took the military-led government to court in August, alleging that she was forcibly subjected to a virginity test in March—and since then she claims she has received death threats after bringing the case. “I will not give up my rights as a woman or a human being,” Ibrahim said. Although Egyptian authorities originally denied issuing the tests, at least one senior official has admitted the practice exists.