CAIRO, June 10 (Reuters) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered the interior minister to fight sexual harassment following the arrest of seven men for attacking women near Cairo’s Tahrir Square during his inauguration celebrations, his office said on Tuesday.
Egypt issued a new law last week which punishes sexual harassment with at least six months in jail or fines of at least 3,000 Egyptian pounds ($420). Judicial sources said the arrests were made under the new law.
Sunday night’s attacks took place as thousands of people enjoyed inauguration festivities, raising new worries about Egypt’s commitment to fighting sexual violence.
The arrests came after a graphic video was posted on YouTube on Sunday showing a naked woman with injuries on her hip being dragged through a large crowd towards an ambulance. It drew a massive public outcry and led further victims to come forward.
“President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi instructed the minister of interior… to vigorously enforce the law and take all necessary measures to combat sexual harassment, an unacceptable form of conduct,” the presidency said in a statement.
“The president calls on all citizens to undertake their part to reinstate the true spirit of ethical and moral values in Egyptian society… This should come in parallel with the state’s efforts to robustly enforce the law.”
Sexual assault was rampant at demonstrations during and after the 2011 uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak and has been common for a decade at large gatherings in Egypt…
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