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Justice Matrix · Case profile

France - CNDA, 23 April 2008, Miss N., n°574495

France2008
FavorableNeeds review
Needs review

Machine-found from the cited source, not yet confirmed by a human. Open the source before relying on it.

Strategic issue

What was at stake

EDAL summary. Women who are subjected to the norms and customary laws of FGM and forced marriage in rural areas in Nigeria cannot avail themselves of the protection of the State authorities, and their attitude is p...

Key holding

What the court decided

The CNDA held that women in rural Nigeria who are subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage form a particular social group under Article 1A(2) of the 1951 Refugee Convention, because they cannot obtain effective state protection and are treated as transgressors by their community. The Court further ruled that internal relocation within Nigeria is not a reasonable alternative, as the applicant’s social and familial constraints would prevent her from marrying another person and thus from leading a normal life elsewhere. Consequently, the applicant’s fear of persecution was deemed well‑founded and refugee status was granted.

Issue areas

Categories

asylumrefugee
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