Women’s rights campaigner saved from deportation
Nigerian women’s health advocate Juliet Imiruaye was due to be deported next week after Justice Minister Michael McDowell turned down an application for Ms Imiruaye to remain on humanitarian grounds.
Ms Imiruaye, who fled her homeland five years ago, applied for asylum here because her life was in danger over an outspoken campaign against the practice of genital mutilation.
But in a last-minute development yesterday, Health Minister and Tánaiste Mary Harney said she had intervened with her party colleague on behalf of Ms Imiruaye.
“I have spoken to the Minister for Justice in relation to Juliet and he has agreed to give her a stay of six months while he reviews the case. I would very much hope that as a result he will be in a position to allow her to stay on humanitarian grounds because she has made a major impact in Ireland in relation to this particular issue,” she said.
Ms Harney said she had taken the initiative because of the important contribution Ms Imiruaye had made towards fighting the practice of female genital mutilation.
“Because of the contribution that Juliet made in relation to this issue and the contribution she has made in relation to health services generally and given that she asked me to intervene I was very happy to do that on her behalf,” she said.
A delighted Ms Imiruaye last night pledged to continue her fight against female genital mutilation.
“I will not stop until the whole world will know that they are doing a lot of harm to our women as has been done to me. I will go to any lengths to keep going until this is stopped,” she said.
Yesterday’s development was also immediately welcomed by anti-racism campaigners.
“We’re delighted and we feel that justice will be done in this case.
“Juliet is a very, very important woman in human rights terms and in women’s terms and she will be a great asset to Ireland,” said Rosanna Flynn of Residents Against Racism.
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