Harassment is a crime that cannot be justified by the body A human rights statement regarding the case of Mariam, the bus girl

The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms is following with grave concern and condemnation the harassment incident to which Mariam, the bus girl, was subjected, and the subsequent societal and media attempts to justify the crime and hold the victim responsible for the assault. This constitutes a clear violation of human rights and the principle of human dignity and equality before the law.

Harassment crimes are not isolated incidents, but rather the product of a discriminatory societal culture that permits and reproduces gender-based violence through discourse that links women’s clothing to their right to safety. This discourse contradicts the Egyptian Constitution, the state’s legal obligations, and international human rights standards.

The Association affirms that the explicit statements made by the perpetrator in the widely circulated video regarding the Mariam bus girl incident represent a clear admission of the crime and reflect a justificatory mentality that considers the woman’s body a direct cause of the assault. This is a legally and morally unacceptable notion that should be tolerated or its seriousness minimized. The Association believes that what is more dangerous than the criminal act itself is… This same societal path seeks to discredit the victim, undermine her account, and transform her from a victim into an accused, creating an environment hostile to justice, encouraging impunity, and eroding women’s trust in the legal protection system. The association emphasizes that the rights to bodily integrity, privacy, and safety in public spaces are inherent and inalienable rights that cannot be forfeited under any moral, religious, or social pretext. Harassment is a fully-fledged crime, and its nature is not altered by the victim’s appearance, clothing, or presence in a public place. The association also affirms that invoking religious discourse to justify violence against women represents a deviation from the essence of religious values, which are based on respect for human dignity and holding the individual fully responsible for their actions. Foremost among these values ​​is the principle of lowering one’s gaze and controlling one’s behavior, not monitoring or judging women’s bodies. The association calls upon the state, with all its relevant institutions, to take decisive measures to confront harassment crimes in transportation and public spaces, and to guarantee safe and effective channels for reporting and protection without stigmatization, intimidation, or doubt. It also calls upon the media to adhere to a responsible and professional discourse that respects the rights of victims and ceases perpetuating the cycle of blaming them. Or justifying the crime.

The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms declares its full solidarity with Mariam and with all women and girls who are subjected to harassment and violence, and affirms that the real battle is not about women’s clothing, but about their unconditional right to safety, dignity, and full citizenship.