Calls for Nigerian woman not to be deported

Women's and immigrants rights campaigners have called for a stay on the deportation of a Nigerian health worker.

Ms Juliet Imiruaye (49) has been told to report to the Garda National Immigration Bureau in Dublin this afternoon. She was served with a deportation order in the past month.

A victim of female genital mutilation, she has been in Ireland for the past five years having fled Nigeria, she says, because she was an outspoken campaigner against the practice. "I have to report to the immigration gardaí at 2 o'clock," she said yesterday.

"Now I am just placing all my faith in God and his promises and I am hoping for a miracle."

The mother of three said she would "have a very short life span" if she returned to Nigeria.

Senator Mary Henry, who has known Ms Imiruaye for the past five years, said she had "so much to contribute to our society" and her "knowledge and ability to articulate" on immigrant women's health issues should be "cherished". She has contacted the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.

Ms Imiruaye is a qualified mid-wife and has given lectures at the Rotunda Hospital on immigrant women's health. She has written and contributed to public discussions on female genital mutilation and recently drew attention to the probability of the practice in this country as immigrant numbers increased.

Following an interview with The Irish Times on the subject last month, the issue was highlighted on RTÉ's Gerry Ryan Show.

The Irish Family Planning Association, the National Women's Council, Comhlamh, Residents Against Racism and the Labour Party have added their voices to calls that her "knowledge should not be lost to Ireland".