Friday, May 23, 2014

Trial for the murder of the 13 years old Sohair al-Bata in Egypt is on, but the charges are ridiculous they are blaming allergic reaction and the dead girl excessive genital skin!! This is insulting and a big blow to FGM survivors and true FGM activists!and all those that have died from FGM. Lucy Mashua Sharp

We all remember about the sad story I shared with last year about 13 years old Sohair al-Bata who bled to death in Egypt now the doctor is in trial.The doctor will stand trial on Thursday on charges of female genital mutilation following the death of a 13-year-old girl who underwent FGM last June, marking the first prosecution since the practice was banned in Egypt. Sohair al-Bata'a died in June 2013 at Raslan Halawa's clinic. "The story unfolded when the victim's father filed a complaint, accusing the doctor of killing his daughter after performing an FGM operation," said Mona Amin, the general coordinator of National Population Council's national project for banning FGM. Her father will also stand trial for taking her to undergo the operation. During investigation, the father retracted from his initial police report statements accusing the doctor, instead, he claimed his daughter was suffering from pelvic pain, and was diagnosed of having "excess" skin that had to be removed through a doctor. Halawa has denied carrying out FGM. Instead, he stated that the victim suffered from "excess" skin which he had removed by cauterization. He insisted that she died because of an allergic reaction to the anesthetic medication. The coroner, assigned by the Public Prosecution, held the doctor responsible for failing to test El-Batea for allergic reactions. However, he reported that medical intervention to remove "excess" skin was "right". The punishment for performing FGM is a prison sentence ranging from three months to two years or a fine of 5,000 Egyptian pounds. The investigation was pushed for by the National Population Council (NPC) last November, which demanded establishing a committee of forensic experts to verify the real cause of death, stated Amin. Based on the results of the investigation, the doctor was charged with wrongful death. He was also charged, along with the father, with performing FGM and referred to trial. At least 91 percent of Egyptian females in the age group 15-49 have undergone FGM, according to the 2008 census. Although doctors now perform 70 percent of these operations, traditional midwives and health barbers usually carried out the practice.
RIP baby girl no matter what your dad say or the doctor that killed you, You didn't deserve to die it was unnecessary,uncalled for,unkind,cruel,evil and atrocious! Ambassador Lucy Mashua Sharp Assisting and advocating for U.S. refugees and women’s rights Global Ambassador for Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Leading the Worldwide Campaign Against FGM Lobbying for HR 2221:The Girl's Protection Act sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley and Rep. Mary Bono Mack. http://twitter.com/Mashua http://mashuavoiceforthevo​iceless.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pa​ges/Mashua-Against-FGM/225​406701415

Monday, May 12, 2014

UK never cease to amuse me!:)Immigrants 'should sign FGM declaration before entering UK'

Campaigners called for immigrants to be required to sign a declaration promising not to subject their daughters to genital mutilation before being allowed into Britain. Leading figures in the fight against FGM called for a special pledge to be brought in to ensure everybody is clear that the practice is against the law. London MEP Marina Yannakoudakis said she will raise the issue with the government and called for more research to identify other countries that have introduced declarations. The idea of an FGM declaration was raised at a meeting of prominent London campaigners, organised by Ms Yannakoudakis to give their views on various anti-FGM initiatives. She said: “As people choose to move to Britain or elsewhere in Europe, it seems relevant to remind them of the social standards that apply here. “That should include an acceptance that certain practices are not only unacceptable but illegal. This proposal will form part of a package of recommendations which I plan to send to the UK Government and EU Commission.” GREAT IDEA ,ACTUALLY AWESOME.I SUPPORT IT 100% Ambassador Lucy S. Mashua, President of Mashua Voice for the Voiceless, International Assisting and advocating for U.S. refugees and women’s rights Global Ambassador for Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Support in lobbying for HR 2221: The Girl's Protection Act sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley and Rep. Mary Bono Mack. http://twitter.com/Mashua http://mashuavoiceforthevoiceless.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415