How considerably can we risk the safety of a modest little one? What if that chance was of female genital mutilation? And what if the little one was born in Britain but is being sent to a country the place FGM is prevalent?
Absolutely the government ought to be concerned. Just weeks ago education secretary Michael Gove, urged on by the Guardian’s anti-FGM campaign, agreed to compose to headteachers reminding them of their duty to protect schoolchildren from cutting. And in February it was unveiled that parents suspected of taking their daughters to Africa for FGM are to be stopped by police at airports.
But instead of concern, the government is really forcing this youngster, against the wishes of her mom, to depart Britain and be sent to Nigeria. The youngster in question is Rashidat, now two, who was born in the Uk after her heavily pregnant mom, Afusat Saliu, fled Nigeria to escape a forced marriage to a considerably older guy – and to evade the imminent threat of FGM on her other daughter, Bassy, now 4.
Afusat’s dread that her daughters will be pinned down and mutilated if they return to her village is genuine. That is what occurred to Afusat herself as a youngster.
I have met Afusat and her pretty daughters. I have assisted support their pleas to stay risk-free in Leeds, the place they came to reside. Her good friend Anj Handa has led a final-ditch e-petition to residence secretary Theresa May towards Afusat’s deportation, now signed by 100,000 men and women. “Her youngsters are at large risk of FGM,” says Handa. “She has no support in Nigeria, no loved ones guarding her from FGM that she can flip to she’s terrified of going back.” Handa says Afusat has constantly complied with immigration rules – and will continue to engage with the immigration services. Her desperate hope is that George Mudie, Afusat’s MP in Leeds East, will be capable to safe a final-minute evaluation.
Mudie is urging House Office minister James Brokenshire to delay the deportation, but supporters cannot verify no matter whether or not she will fly right now. Nigeria has the highest absolute amount of FGM cases anyplace in the planet. About a third of women in the nation have undergone FGM. Some who undergo FGM die most suffer permanent damage. FGM in Nigeria is officially illegal, but kidnappings by traditionalists are a function of its enforcement.
The United Nations and the EU recognise the danger of FGM as grounds for asylum, but the United kingdom Border Agency below May’s manage, apparently know far better.
The hypocrisy is startling. The Uk coalition government declares itself established to lead the eradication of FGM globally within a generation. Britain must be applauding females like Afusat, usually having been harmed themselves, who have had the courage to defy the devastation of FGM.
The UN special envoy, Prof Rashida Manjoo, not too long ago shared her worries about refugee, trafficked and asylum-seeking girls who encounter “insecure immigration standing” in the United kingdom. Sadly, Britain seems determined to demonstrate human-rights-denying callousness in the way it offers with ladies and kids vulnerable to FGM – even ones born in this nation.
Even 1 girl or youngster who has FGM forced on her because she is deported from the Uk is too several. It is certainly unthinkable for that to occur to anybody.
So here is my challenge to May: show to us that no a single as a result far deported has skilled FGM or other harmful classic practices given that they left our shores. Show that you have secured assurances from authorities in the appropriate countries that they will hold deportees protected. Show that you are not a hypocrite.
And never deport Afusat and her tiny ladies except if you can be 100% certain that this safety net is in area in Nigeria, right now.
I would like to be proud of my country’s record on human rights. At the moment I am deeply ashamed. It can never ever be Ok to send small children away to threat atrocities like FGM.
• The epetition can be signed right here
How can Britain deport a child at danger of FGM? Theresa Could must feel once again | Hilary Burrage
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