Women’s rights campaigner saved from deportation

A PROMINENT campaigner against genital mutilation has been given a last-minute reprieve from deportation following the direct intervention of Tánaiste Mary Harney.

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.