A Decision to Be Changed

In the New York times on September 23, 2008, there was an article entitled “Mukasey Vacates Panel’s Decision Denying Asylum to Malian Woman” that describes how a woman from Mali, a small African country, was denied asylum because the “reprehensible,” genital cutting that was inflicted upon her at an early age could not be repeated. Mr. Mukasey is arguing that such an offense can occur again, and probably will in her case because she refuses the forced marriage between her first cousin and herself. A change in this decision by the court will allow for a number of women in this region to be allowed to receive asylum. In my opinion, the original decision of the court is completely wrong. After reading this I was quite shocked to hear that the court had actually ruled that way. I am happy to see that the decision is being retried, and hopefully the decision will go the woman’s way.

This article can be found on page A18