The daughter of an African Diplomat based in London has been given special protection after concerns were raised that she may be subjected to female genital mutilation.
The infant’s mother had voiced her worry regarding her baby daughter, who is less than a year old, and was described as being ‘very anxious and worried’ that the father would not prevent her daughter being subject to FGM. Mr Justice Keehan issued the child with a FGM protection order and made her a ward of court in order to safeguard her.
As the infant’s father is a diplomat he is immune from prosecution and Southwark council who initiated proceedings for the protection order are requesting that his diplomatic immunity be waivered in this case. The judge is to hear more evidence in due course as the order was issued after only preliminary proceedings.
The father denies involvement and claims he loves his daughter and has no plans to take her anywhere where she may be harmed. However, an estimated 137,000 young females have either been subject to female genital mutilation or are at serious risk of being subject to it consequently; the courts will take the necessary steps in order to protect those cases that are bought to their attention.
Read the full report from The Guardian’s website.
