Layli
Miller-Muro, Esq.
Biography
Layli
Miller-Muro, Esq.
Layli Miller-Muro is the Executive Director of the Tahirih Justice Center,
a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting women from human rights abuses
through the provision of legal aid and social services (www.tahirih.org). Previously,
she was at attorney at Arnold & Porter where she practiced international
litigation and maintained a substantial pro bono practice. Prior to joining
Arnold & Porter, Layli was an attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice
at the Board of Immigration Appeals.
While only a student in law school, Layli argued before an Immigration Judge
and assisted in the appeal of a high-profile case involving a woman's right
to receive refuge in the United States from a tribal practice called female
genital mutilation. This case, which involved a young woman from Togo named
Fauziya Kassindja, was the first in which the Board of Immigration Appeals
(the highest appellate immigration tribunal) recognized female genital mutilation
as a basis for asylum. The case set nationally binding legal precedent and
made legal history.
Layli assisted Fauziya write a book about her life, flight
from Togo, and fight for freedom in the United States, entitled Do They
Hear You When You Cry, which was published in the United States by Bantam
Doubleday Dell in March 1998. All of Layli's portion of the proceeds were
donated to enable the creation of the Tahirih Justice Center. The book has
subsequently been published in 14 different languages and an audio version
has been recorded. The movie rights have been sold to Abandon Entertainment.
Layli's other publications include Female Genital Mutilation: Balancing
Intolerance of the Practice with Tolerance of the Culture (Journal
of Women's Health: February 1997), Female Genital Mutilation in the United
States: An Examination of Criminal and Asylum Law (American University
Journal of Gender and the Law: Spring 1996), and New Trends in Addressing
Violence Against Women (Human Rights Law Brief: Spring 1994). In addition,
Layli is recipient of the Feminist Majority Foundation Award, Africa's Children's
Fund Award, 2000 Mentor Award, Voices of Courage Media Award, Agnes Scott
College Young Alumni Award, Human Relations Award, and the Woodrow Wilson
Princeton Community Service Award. Layli also recently received the honor
being elected to term membership on the Council on Foreign Relations.
Layli frequently gives speeches at universities throughout the United States
and at conferences throughout the world on issues relating to women's rights,
harmful traditional practices, and the treatment of refugees. She has appeared
as a commentator about female genital mutilation, U.S. immigration policy,
and as the personal subject of numerous stories on CNN, BBC, ABC-Nightline,
PBS, CNBC, 700 Club, NPR, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Diane Rehm Show, the
New York Times, and the Washington Post.
Layli graduated phi beta kappa from Agnes Scott College in Atlanta,
Georgia in 1993. She then graduated magna cum laude from the Washington
College of Law at the American University in May 1996. She also received her
masters of arts degree in law and international affairs from American University
in August 1996.
For
more information, contact:
Atlanta
Baha'i Information Center
Office of Communications & Media Relations
E-mail: weare1@atlantabahai.org
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