Case could widen the grounds for asylum: a young woman's fear of being mutilated could pave way for gender-based petitions

Article Abstract:

The asylum request of Fauziya Kasinga of Togo, to be heard before the Board of Immigration Appeals, may establish gender as an accepted basis for political asylum claims. Kasinga emigrated to the US to avoid female genital mutilation and forced marriage, practices widespread in Togo and other African nations. At present, the five grounds for asylum do not include gender so her attorneys are arguing that the women in her tribe constitute a particular social group subject to persecution.

Interpretation and construction, Cases, Laws, regulations and rules, Human rights, Emigration and immigration, Women's rights, Togo, Asylum, Right of, Right of asylum, Emigration and immigration law, Immigration law, Vulvectomy, Kasinga, Fauziya

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A presumption of inadequacy?

Article Abstract:

The Louisiana Supreme Court has found the state's legal assistance to the poor of such bad quality that trial judges have been ordered to apply a rebuttable presumption of ineffective assistance of counsel to all defendant-clients of public defenders. Trial judges are even authorized to stop proceedings if necessary. This is seen as a message to state legislatures that they must reform indigent defense so as to guarantee defendants' constitutional rights.

Analysis, Legal assistance to the poor, Right to counsel

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Term reveals pragmatic Supreme Court; not given to speculation, the court addresses only the issues directly before it, say observers

Article Abstract:

The 1995-96 term of the US Supreme Court was very conservative, practical and yet sometimes not to be predicted on issues that divide the country. The court's is relatively young in that five of the nine justices ascended to that bench in the last eight years and thus results are sometimes difficult for observers to predict. Rulings during this term involved equal protection, free speech and criminal law.

United States. Supreme Court, 1996 AD

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