Iceland Plans To Ban Circumcision In Males
A political party in Iceland is pushing to ban male circumcision sparking criticism from religious groups.
Iceland's The Progressive Party has put forward a bill in parliament that suggests circumcision violates article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children. The party has likened the practice to female genital mutilation. Circumcision should only be used in the case of health complications, says the party.
The bill put before the parliament wants boys to able to decide for themselves when they "understand what is involved in such actions".
"Circumcision involves permanent interventions in a child's body that can cause severe pain, as well as such an operation involves the risk of infections and other problems," reads a translated version of the bill.
"While it is certainly the right of parents to give their children guidance when it comes to religion, such a right can never exceed the rights of the child."
The movement has triggered outrage from religious groups that traditionally practice circumcision at birth as part of their religion.
The bill has so far received strong backing from the rest of parliament and the public.
