NSS to UN: end ritual genital cutting of children

The National Secular Society has called for all children to be protected from forced genital cutting at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC).

This year's HRC meeting on the rights of the child focussed on "core" child right principles, including "participation" and the "best interests of the child".

In a written statement, the NSS said ritual genital cutting of children is "entirely at odds" with these core principles.

It said the human rights community "rightly rejects" cultural or religious defences of female genital mutilation (FGM), and called for boys to enjoy the same protections from ritual circumcision.

The statement noted the 2016 recommendation of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) that the UK Government ensure "that no one is subjected to unnecessary medical or surgical treatment during infancy or childhood".

Circumcision is "medically unnecessary, painful, dangerous and irreversible", it added.

Ritual male circumcision is performed in some Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities around the world. Unlike FGM, it is not explicitly prohibited in the UK or any other country.

'All children have the right to protection and participation' – UN special rapporteur

Speaking at the meeting, CRC member Philip Jaffé said: "for obvious reasons early childhood is a risky period of maximum vulnerability. It would make sense to expect that the greatest protection efforts are directed at younger children."

He said the right to life "trumps" all others. In the UK, three baby boys have bled to death in recent years following circumcision. Many more have been admitted to hospital with life threatening sepsis, shock or haemorrhage.

Jaffé added participation was a "fundamental principle" of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Boys are typically ritually circumcised in infancy or as young children, meaning they are too young participate in the decision.

UN special rapporteur on violence against children Najat Maalla M'jid said "all children - including the very youngest and those in the most vulnerable situations – have rights, including rights to development, protection and participation".

The convention enshrines a child's right to protection from harmful traditional practices and violence. The International Classification of Violence against Children defines violence as an act that is deliberate, non-consensual, non-essential and harmful.

M'jid said children should be "heard, and empowered to express their thoughts, feelings, and to understand their rights" and "safety is a pre-requisite for early childhood development".

Speaking before the meeting, UK representative Kameni Chaddha said "children should have a say in matters that affect them".

However, none of the speakers raised the issue of non-consensual ritual circumcision.

NSS: 'Child rights should be implemented consistently'

National Secular Society human rights lead Dr Alejandro Sanchez said: "We welcome the commitment of experts to upholding children's rights to participation and protection.

"These rights should now be implemented consistently, without deference to religious and cultural practices. No child, regardless of sex, should be subjected to medically unnecessary genital cutting".