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Background information
on gender and asylum issues4

Join CGRS's network to receive updates on campaigns, events and gender asylum issues

 

CGRS’s core mission is to protect the basic human rights of refugee women and girls by advancing gender-sensitive asylum laws, helping advocates successfully represent women in need of protection, and preventing these refugees from being forcibly returned to the countries from which they have fled.

In addition to engaging in scholarly research, policy work, and impact litigation, the Center carries out original research and advocacy initiatives around human rights violations in specific countries or regions of the world. CGRS also seeks to address root causes for migration flows, including injustices and human rights violations against women in refugee-producing countries.

2007 Annual Report

 

Matter of R.A.

Download DHS's brief to the Attorney General in Matter of R.A. (Feb. 2004) urging that Rodi Alvarado be granted asylum. See this page for other legal documents and information pertaining to Matter of R.A.

 

Femicide in Guatemala

In Guatemala, women are being raped, mutilated and murdered every day. The killings are notable for their brutality and the continuing impunity of those responsible. To learn more see our page on the femicides in Guatemala 4
Download ourt report on the Guatemalan femicides (Sept. 2006) [1 MB]

 

Fauziya Kassindja and the Struggle for Gender Asylum

Read Fauziya's inspiring story4

 

CGRS in the News

Court Rejects Decisions of Immigration Board, by Alan Feuer. A New York Times article on the 2nd Circuit court decision regarding three Guinean women fleeing FGC.

New York Times column on Matter of A-T- by Adam Liptak, Drawing a Line Between Enduring Harm and Legitimate Fear. November 5, 2007

More News4

 

The UC Hastings Clinic

Law students at U.C. Hastings can work with CGRS through the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic. Follow this link to learn more about the Refugee & Human Rights Clinic. Current and prospective students can find materials and application forms here.

Latest News & Updates

  • The 2nd Circuit handed down a major victory in the case of three women who were subjected to past female genital cutting (FGC). The court rejected the BIA's reasoning in these decisions, as well as in Matter of A-T- and found that having suffered FGC in the past did not preclude the women from facing future persecution based on that or another type of related harm, and that the BIA had erred in failing to require the government to meet its burden.
    Read the 2nd Circuit decision. If you have a similar asylum case and would like a copy of CGRS' amicus brief filed in support of the asylum-seekers claim please fill out this form.
  • Read a New York Times editorial describing the Second Circuit victory and calling on the Attorney General to reverse Matter of A-T-.


  • Verdict in Pepe Mendez murder trial:
    The murder trial against Pepe’s co-worker and passenger at the time of the extrajudicial execution, began on May 14, 2008, and ended on June 2, 2008. To learn more about the trial and sentence see the Justice for Pepe - Justice for Guatemala campaign page.
  • Support growing efforts to protect women's rights; support the campaign to reverse In re A-T-. In this recent decision the BIA denied protection to a woman who suffered from past female genital cutting. Join our campaign to reverse In re A-T-.

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Need help with your appeal?

CGRS's Appellate Advocacy Project may be able to help. CGRS authors amicus briefs as well as enters as co-counsel in select cases. Please contact Lisa Frydman for more information.

Need advice or assistance with your asylum case? Please fill out this form4

Join the listserve devoted to legal issues around gender asylum - send an email to
dvasylum_updates-subscribe@yahoogroups.com