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Egyptian military regrets “violations” of women

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Summary of story from France24, December 21, 2011

Egypt’s military has issued a rare apology on the fifth day of clashes in Cairo after video footage of soldiers stripping and beating a female protester (see WVoN story) lead to international criticism and drew thousands of Egyptian women to rally in protest.

Yesterday the military, in an unusually contrite statement, emphasised their respect for women’s rights and said that they strongly regretted the violent attacks on female protesters, promising to hold those responsible to account.

However, the credibility of the military was questioned just hours before, when the country’s forensics chief, Ehsan Kamil Georgi, said that most of those killed in the protests died of gunshot wounds, although the military had denied firing on protesters.

The pictures and footage of soldiers beating and dragging away women protesters sent shockwaves round the world and sparked yesterday’s women-led march to Tahrir Square (see WVoN story).

Thousands joined the women chanting “Egypt’s girls are a red line!”, while sporadic clashes with police continued nearby.

In unusually strong language, America’s foremost diplomat, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the images “shocking” and accused the country’s new leaders of abusing women on the street and in politics (see WVoN story).

“This systematic degradation of Egyptian women dishonours the revolution, disgraces the state and its uniform, and is not worthy of a great people,” she said.

Amnesty International has called for a halt to all arms sales to Egyptian forces while the violence continues.

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