DON'T SEND MY KIDS BACK TO BE MUTILATED; Mum's plea to minister as she battles deportation.Byline: BY ED CARTY AMNESTY International Amnesty International (AI,) human-rights organization founded in 1961 by Englishman Peter Benenson; it campaigns internationally against the detention of prisoners of conscience, for the fair trial of political prisoners, to abolish the death penalty and torture of last night pleaded with Justice Minister Dermot Ahern to protect two children from genital mutilation genital mutilation The destruction or removal of a portion or the entire external genitalia, which may occur in the context of a crime of passion or as part of a cultural rite. See Bobbittize, Cutter, Female circumcision, Self-mutilation. . Nigerian Pamela Izevbekhai and her daughters Naomi, seven, and six-year-old Jemima have lost their latest battle to stay in the country. The High Court threw out the family's claim that Mr Ahern should look at new evidence and agree to a plea for subsidiary protection. But Amnesty chief Colm O'Gorman said: "It is still within his power to grant the family leave to remain. We call on him to do so as a matter of absolute urgency." Ms Izevbekhai, who lives with her daughters in Sligo, is to appeal to the Supreme Court. Her final hope rests with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Mr O'Gorman added: "If returned these children may be forcibly subjected to the human rights atrocity of female genital mutilation. Nigeria by its own admission simply cannot protect them." The National Women's Council of Ireland The Council of Ireland may refer to one of two councils, one proposed and one implemented for a brief period. 1920 - Government of Ireland Act The Council of Ireland backed the calls for Mr Ahern to step in. NWCI NWCI National Women's Council of Ireland health worker Joanne Vance said: "Any type of FGM FGM abbr. female genital mutilation is a harmful practice, a contravention of internationally recognised human rights and constitutes violence against women and girls." And Children Rights Alliance chief Jillian Van Turnhout said sending them back to Nigeria raised "serious concern about the Government's commitment to children". Mr Ahern's spokesman said the minister had no comment. A spokeswoman for the Strasbourg court said the family must be allowed to remain in Ireland until it rules on the case. 100m victims FEMALE circumcision - or genital mutilation - is one of the most political topics of women's health. Worldwide it is estimated 100 to 140 million women have been subjected to it. Supporters say it is done for cultural and religious reasons. Opponents insist not only is it potentially life-threatening - it is also an extreme form of oppression of women. These children may be forcibly subjected to the human rights atrocity of female genital mutilation AMNESTY CHIEF COLM O'GORMAN CAPTION(S): DESPERATE Pamela Izevbekhai with Jemima, left, and Naomi at High Court yesterday Picture: GARRETT WHITE/COLLINS; WAIT Justice Minister Dermot Ahern |
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