I am writing to ask for any recommendations or leads to experts you
may know who could assist us in an asylum case. I am an attorney with
the law firm of White & Case LLP in New York City. We currently
represent, on a pro bono basis, a Guinean woman who is seeking asylum
in the United States. She is the mother of an intersex baby (it has
characteristics of both sex organs). Although she and her husband
tried to keep the child's condition a secret, it became public
knowledge in Guinea, which led to threats against her and her child.
Among these is the accusation that she is a witch. Upon this
happening, our client fled to the United States.
We are seeking a professor who has expertise in the areas of religious
beliefs in Guinea (or other West African countries sufficiently
similar to Guinea) to submit an affidavit in support of her
application. Ideally, the affidavit would explain that there are
people within Guinea who believe in witches or have animist beliefs,
and confirm that being labeled a witch could put one in danger. The
affidavit might also include some discussion of gender roles or the
lack of tolerance of diversity to the extent these were relevant and
helpful.
Lien De Brouckere
Associate
White & Case LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-2787
Telephone: + 1 (212) 819-8217
Fax: + 1 (212) 354-8113
[log in to unmask]
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