Report: UK ordered 'virginity tests' on migrants

LONDON – Newly discovered documents indicate that the British government concealed how often it administered so-called "virginity tests" to female immigrants hoping to enter the country in the 1970s on marriage visas



The documents, unearthed by legal researchers Marinella Marmo and Evan Smith from Australia's Flinders University, showed that the tests — meant to prove that women coming into Britain to marry were virgins — had been administered more than 80 times.

Although the tests first drew condemnation in the late 1970s, the extent to which the practice had taken place was not clear until now. The British government had previously acknowledged only two cases, both done at Heathrow Airport.
"We were shocked to see not one case, but many," Marmo said Monday.
The government acknowledged that the documents were valid, but a spokesman for the U.K. Border Agency declined to address the larger number of cases reported by Marmo and Smith.
"These practices occurred 30 years ago and were clearly wrong," he said. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government policy, said Britain's policies now protect the rights of immigrants.
Marmo and Smith's research began in 2008 and was first published Monday in the Guardian newspaper.
The results show that 73 women underwent the tests in New Delhi and nine in Bombay at British embassies between 1976 and 1979. The alleged reason was to weed out bogus immigration claims.
The researchers said the discrepancy between their findings and the official tally makes it clear that the government, fearful of damaging its international reputation, had deliberately concealed the scale of the practice.
The documents "are quite revealing about the extent of abuse within the immigration system at the time," Smith said. "There were a lot of machinations to deny or limit what was made public about these cases, which lends credence to the idea that they knew it was something bad, that it was a gross violation of human rights."
The files, letters and exchanges — some typed, some handwritten, often with scribbles in the margins — contained telling references to a broader agenda to limit immigration, Marmo said, pointing to one note that read: "Let us not pretend we're not discriminating."
The researchers believe the government could issue a more assertive apology.
"We cannot change the past, but at least we can set the record straight and we can look each other in the face and tell the truth," Marmo said. "Say it happened. Say you're sorry."

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Posted: at 18-05-2011 04:11 AM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac

It happened between 70-76. It is no longer in existence.
Though apology will not change the past, but it will show
that they were ignorant of the implications when they were
practicing it. So, they should apologise to internationality
communities for the violation of women's dignity.

Posted: at 18-05-2011 09:22 AM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Oh, so this was happening before?

Posted: at 18-05-2011 09:29 AM (13 years ago) | Upcoming

so practice like this took place in so-called civilized and modern nation that claimed to be practicing democracy..shame on them!!!

Posted: at 18-05-2011 09:36 AM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac

This may be the reason their children are so promiscuous today because of the inhuman treatment against immigrants

Posted: at 18-05-2011 09:53 AM (13 years ago) | Upcoming

U ARE RIGHT MY BROTHER

Posted: at 18-05-2011 10:15 AM (13 years ago) | Newbie

VRGN KORRRRRRR VRGN NIIIIIIIII.AFTER D BROS DEM DON GROOVE DEMSELF DEM GO COM DEY FIND TEAR RUBBER ABI?TELL ME WHICH MAN NO WANT TO INSERT SIMCARDS DIS DAYS?? TANK GOD 4 D ABOLISHMENT OF SUCH. ALL IN D NAME OF I WANT 2 GO OBODO OYINBOOOOOOOOO.

Posted: at 18-05-2011 10:24 AM (13 years ago) | Upcoming

This is ridiculus.. Only if they are sure that those men that will mary them are also virgin.. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO PROVE SINCERITY..

Posted: at 18-05-2011 10:47 AM (13 years ago) | Newbie

@Poster your headline made it look like it is still in existence till now
The UK Border Agency cannot try such now

Posted: at 18-05-2011 11:21 AM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac

i trust our ladies

Posted: at 18-05-2011 11:49 AM (13 years ago) | Upcoming