July 3, 2012
Norway minister discounts anti-circumcision move
By Michael SandelsonNorwegian Ministry officials sent a legal proposal to allow ritual neo-natal circumcisions at hospitals out for hearing in May 2011 aimed at preventing the practise going underground. The issue of permitting this is to be discussed in Parliament after the summer recess.
Child Ombudsman Reidar Hjermann has also argued for the imposing of a minimum age requirement of 15.
Whilst tri-partite coalition member the Centre Party (Sp) has officially vetoed the multi thousand-year tradition, the minister told VG, “We’d be the only country in the world to forbid ritual circumcision if we moved for this. I cannot, therefore, think that this will apply.”
[Where have we heard that before? How many countries "can't go first" before one can?]
A Cologne District Court Judge recently ruled
...
Meanwhile, Norwegian Health Ministry advisor Tord Dale explained that the government proposes that a Mohel performs the procedure in hospital supervised by medical staff, with strict hygiene, and pain relief requirements, before the child travels home following birth.
Muslim male circumcisions have no fixed age and are carried out according to familial, regional, and national traditions. Jews circumcise male children on the eight day to recall their covenant with God.
“The most important is that it is carried out in a safe way. A Mohel performs far more of these than most Norwegian doctors do,” said Tord Dale.
[But there is no evidence that ritual circumcision is any safer than other kinds.]
15 sounds a little young - but it sure is better than what we have now.
ReplyDeleteIn Canada I think that the legal age for genital piercings is 18. That sounds good to me, and also seems like a good age to make decisions on circumcision.
It is bizarre that we are not able to tattoo or pierce a foreskin until 18, but can cut it off at any age.
"Muslim male circumcisions have no fixed age and are carried out according to familial, regional, and national traditions. Jews circumcise male children on the eight day to recall their covenant with God."
Perhaps there would be less opposition from Islam in general if that is the case.