South East Technological University had the great pleasure of welcoming a group of Afghan women judges to the Department of Law and Criminal Justice at the university’s College Street campus on Tuesday, 26 April.
The event included talks given on the Irish Constitution delivered by Dr Jennifer Kavanagh and on women's rights in Ireland delivered Dr Niamh Maguire. The judges also met with law, legal studies and criminal justice students and spent time sharing their experiences.
Ms Olivia McCann, President of the Waterford Law Society joined the group together with Judge Shireen Fisher who is involved in the resettling of the Afghan judges to Ireland.
Speaking at the event Judge Shireen said “the event was a huge success. This is the first time the judges had been together in person since arriving in Ireland. The event has sparked a lot of conversation along the lines that they understand now that the women of Ireland suffered oppression just as they have and have overcome it. Of all the wonderful gifts that the Afghan judges have received from the many generous people of Ireland, your welcome today has touched them the most and we are very grateful’.
If you would like to help in securing safe passage to Ireland and protection for a number of Afghan female judges, you can donate at www.irishruleoflaw.ie/afghanistan_appeal