While reiterating our appreciation to Ms. Wallström for the openness and...

While reiterating our appreciation to Ms. Wallström for the openness and flexibility shown during the consultations with the mission of Egypt on this issue, which resulted in the inclusion of some ofour views in the report — particularly those related to the decision of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces to tighten the penalty for crimes of sexual harassment, abduction and rape — other Egyptian proposals have not found their way into the report. The allegations of virginity tests in paragraph 81 have been extensively investigated by the Egyptian military authorities and the suspected doctor is being tried before the supreme military court, reflecting Egypt's strong belief inthe rule of law and zero tolerance towards any violation, foremost among which is any sexual-related violation. This in itself should have provided the justification for not mentioning Egypt at all in the report, particularly as this incident and the way it has been handled represent no systematic practice in this regard.