Yes, this practice is torture for girls
Friday January 30 2009
Some of the media coverage of Pamela Izevbekhai's deportation case this week has raised questions about whether female genital mutilation (FGM) constitutes torture.
Ms Izevbekhai is fighting deportation to Nigeria on the grounds that her daughters, Naomi (8) and Jemima (6), would be likely to be subjected to this horrific procedure if returned.
Last year, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak, said the practice of FGM should be recognised as torture. His report said: "Many special procedures have found that FGM may constitute torture and that states have the responsibility to take all the necessary measures to eradicate it."
He went on to add: "The pain inflicted by FGM does not stop with the initial procedure, but often continues as ongoing torture throughout a woman's life."
Nigeria's own report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in 2006 admitted it is not able to protect girls against the practice and acknowledged that almost one in three Nigerian girls are subjected to FGM.
We would urge the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern to use his discretion to grant the family leave to remain in Ireland.
Colm O'Gorman
Amnesty International
