RCNI Press Release 17 January 2006
RCNI support call to keep Pamela and her daughters in Ireland
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today call for public support of the campaign to keep Pamela Izevbekhai and her daughters in Ireland and the recognition of FGM as sexual violence and child sexual abuse where the victim is a child. There is a rally being held today outside Mountjoy prison where Pamela is currently being held. An injunction against the deportation order will keep Pamela’s daughters safe until the judicial review of the decision takes place on the 23rd of January. It is to be hoped that Pamela’s fear will be listened to and taken seriously.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director said, ‘fear and threat of female genital mutilation (FGM) can be successfully argued under the grounds for granting asylum in Ireland. Regardless of cultural practice, the RCNI recognises FGM as sexual violence. Pamela has already lost one 18 month old daughter to FGM and greatly fears for her two remaining daughters, having come under pressure in her country of origin to present them for genital mutilation. Just this month a USA Ninth Circuit Court under Judge Clifton overturned a decision to on the grounds that the couple in question, ‘would be powerless to stop [the FGM] from being performed on their child and would suffer social condemnation even if they could’. We believe Pamela’s situation back in Nigeria would be no different.’
Sligo Rape Crisis Centre is calling for people to support Pamela and her two daughters Naomi (4) and Jemima’s (3) campaign to be granted asylum to stay in Ireland. If deported back to Nigeria both Naomi and Jemima inevitably face the threat of abduction and undergoing FGM.
A spokeswoman for the Sligo Rape Crisis Centre said, ‘fleeing sexually violent acts such as FGM or rape as a weapon for war must be seen as legitimate reasons for granting asylum. People have been traumatised enough they need our support not imprisonment and deportation to face the same horror. The fact that Pamela is now in prison is a disgrace. We call on the Department of Justice and the Minister in particular to do the right thing and grant asylum to Pamela, Naomi and Jemima.’
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
• If you would like to support Pamela, Naomi and Jemima please log onto www.letthemstay.org or contact WAVES at 0719141515 or Sligo Rape Crisis Centre at 071 91 71188.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear 087 2196447
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Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director said, ‘fear and threat of female genital mutilation (FGM) can be successfully argued under the grounds for granting asylum in Ireland. Regardless of cultural practice, the RCNI recognises FGM as sexual violence. Pamela has already lost one 18 month old daughter to FGM and greatly fears for her two remaining daughters, having come under pressure in her country of origin to present them for genital mutilation. Just this month a USA Ninth Circuit Court under Judge Clifton overturned a decision to on the grounds that the couple in question, ‘would be powerless to stop [the FGM] from being performed on their child and would suffer social condemnation even if they could’. We believe Pamela’s situation back in Nigeria would be no different.’
Sligo Rape Crisis Centre is calling for people to support Pamela and her two daughters Naomi (4) and Jemima’s (3) campaign to be granted asylum to stay in Ireland. If deported back to Nigeria both Naomi and Jemima inevitably face the threat of abduction and undergoing FGM.
A spokeswoman for the Sligo Rape Crisis Centre said, ‘fleeing sexually violent acts such as FGM or rape as a weapon for war must be seen as legitimate reasons for granting asylum. People have been traumatised enough they need our support not imprisonment and deportation to face the same horror. The fact that Pamela is now in prison is a disgrace. We call on the Department of Justice and the Minister in particular to do the right thing and grant asylum to Pamela, Naomi and Jemima.’
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
• If you would like to support Pamela, Naomi and Jemima please log onto www.letthemstay.org or contact WAVES at 0719141515 or Sligo Rape Crisis Centre at 071 91 71188.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear 087 2196447
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