Germany Protects Circumcision

Lawmakers affirm right to procedure after court case
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 12, 2012 1:31 PM CST
Germany Protects Circumcision
Orthodox Jews attend a meeting of the German Federal Parliament, or Bundestag, in Berlin Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

German lawmakers took the unusual move today of reaffirming the right to have baby boys circumcised, reports Reuters. The move came after a local court in Cologne banned the practice for health and safety reasons, prompting Jewish and Muslim groups to call the court decision discriminatory. No nation outlaws the practice, and Germany is "particularly sensitive" to any legislation that might be considered anti-Semitic, notes the AP. The new law stipulates that the procedure be done by a trained practitioner with as little pain as possible—meaning with an anesthetic. (More Germany stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X