MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release – Friday September 20, 2019

Court Denies House Motion to Intervene in Michigan FGM Case

AHA Foundation is disappointed by the U.S Circuit Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit denial of the House of Representative’s request to intervene in the case United States versus Nargawala, et al. The court also granted a motion by the parties to voluntarily dismiss the appeal, ending the first federal FGM prosecution in the United States with the alleged perpetrator facing no consequences.

Amanda Parker, Senior Director at AHA Foundation says, “The most frightening result of this ruling is the possibility that individuals in the U.S. who believe in the practice will view the judge’s decision that the federal FGM ban is unconstitutional as a green light to continue cutting girls. The dismissal of the case against Jumana Nagarwala unfortunately puts girls at a very real and increased risk of this form of child abuse.”

“The federal government has not only the authority but also the responsibility to safeguard girls from this abusive practice and we are working hard to support efforts to clarify the constitutionality of the existing FGM ban. The judge’s ruling in this case further highlights the critical need for a law banning FGM in each of the 15 states and the District of Columbia that have yet to enact one; we must use all the tools at our disposal to prevent FGM across the U.S. and specifically banning FGM is an important step towards eliminating the practice,” says Ms. Parker.

Amanda Parker, Senior Director of AHA Foundation.

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AHA Foundation believes in liberty for all people:

AHA Foundation was established by Ayaan Hirsi Ali in 2007 to put the ideas she writes about into practice. The organization advocates liberty for all by championing human rights and individual liberties above cultural, social or religious imperatives. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, AHA Foundation, raises funds and leads programs to protect women from honor violence, to advance freedom of speech on campuses and in public debate, as well as supporting the work of Muslim reformers. http://www.ahafoundation.org

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