A group of boys have been arrested and accused of harassing two female tourists in Egypt.
A total of 13 teenagers are reportedly in custody after a video making the rounds on social media shows them swarming around two women at the Giza Pyramids near Cairo.
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As shown in the footage, the boys appear to be jeering at the women as they try to escape.
It appears that one woman attempts to push a boy away, while a voice is heard saying the video should be sent to the minister of tourism, reports AP.
The Office of the Chief Prosecutor said that the boys have denied the charges against them by a tour guide who recorded the incident on their smartphone.
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They claim that the boys were 'verbally and physically' harassing the women.
According to a statement from the prosecutor’s office, the arrested boys are between 13 and 15 years old.
The statement did not provide any details on the women tourists.
If charged, the boys will be tried before a juvenile court.
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LADbible has contacted the Ministry of Interior of Egypt for comment.
Charlotte Kneer, a campaigner on domestic abuse and sexual violence, told The Independent she thought detaining the young boys was 'punitive'.
Kneer, chief executive of a refuge for domestic abuse victims, added: “Given they are between 13 and 15, it does seem punitive and harsh to put them in a detention centre for young people.
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“It is an education issue not a punishment issue. The people who should be taking responsibility are the people in power who are failing to educate the young men of Egypt. It seems like an extremely harsh punishment.”
It comes after Jorie Dugan, a legal adviser for a global NGO called Equality Now, recently told the publication: "Sexual harassment and gender-based violence remain extremely widespread across Egypt, despite recent legislative reforms aimed at guaranteeing rights for women."
Dugan added: "And worse still, is in some cases criminalising women’s rights defenders and survivors of sexual violence who speak out about these issues."
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Visitors to the pyramids at Giza and other famous archaeological sites in Egypt are said to be approached and followed by young men offering tours, souvenirs, carriage or camel rides, reports PA.
The problem of sexual harassment in Egypt gained worldwide attention during and after the 2011 uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak, when women were harassed, groped – and in some cases, beaten and sexually assaulted – during mass anti-government protests.
In recent years, women inspired by the #MeToo movement have spoken out on social media about the problem.
Authorities have increased penalties for sexual harassment, which is now punishable with up to five years in prison.
Topics: World News
Anish Vij