INS schrieb:

Thanks to joint Jewish-Muslim rallying, European Council has decided not to recommend a ban on circumcision.
The Council of Europe has decided not to recommend a ban on circumcision. At a meeting of the Council in Strasbourg this week, it decided to accept arguments put forth by Jewish and Muslim groups supporting circumcision.
The joint effort was a rare one for Jews and Muslims in Europe, as both sought to uphold their ancient traditions in the wake of attempts by European Union governments to ban the practice, other than for dire medical need.
According to those opposed to circumcision, infants sustain significant “psychological damage” because they are unable to resist what they see as a violent attack on their body.
The EU, UN, and other international organizations have all seen circumcision as a form of “violence” against children, and have recommended banning the practice based on that.
To reverse the Council's recommendation, Jews and Muslims formed a joint committee to testify and present arguments in favor of the practice.
Among the members of the group, called the Muslim-Jewish Leadership Council, are the Conference of European Rabbis, the King Abdullah International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), the Islamic Council of the Republic of Germany, and the World Islamic Relief Organization.
Representing Israel was MK Issai Freij (Meretz), who spoke before the Council on the human rights aspect of preserving circumcision.
Commenting on the new decision, Freij said that it was “a victory for logic. The debate over circumcision is a legitimate one, but those opposed to this ancient practice should be battling it through education, not legislation.”

coe schrieb:

"The Assembly therefore calls on member States to: take the following measures with regard to specific categories of violation of children’s physical integrity:

7.5.1. publicly condemn the most harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation,and pass legislation banning these, thus providing public authorities with the mechanisms to prevent and effectively fight these practices,including through the application of extraterritorial “legislative or other measures to establish jurisdiction” for cases where nationals are submitted to female genital mutilation abroad, as specified in Article 44 of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (CETSNo. 210);
7.5.2. clearly define the medical, sanitary and other conditions to be ensured for practices which are today widely carried out incertain religious communities, such as the non-medically justified circumcision of young boys;"

coe schrieb:

"raise awareness about the need to ensure the participation of children in decisions concerning their physical integrity wherever appropriate and possible, and to adopt specific legal provisions to ensure that certain operations and practices will not be carried out before a child is old enough to be consulted."

coe schrieb:

"As far as circumcision of young boys is concerned, the Assembly refers to its Resolution1952 (2013) on children’s right to physical integrity and, out of a concern to protect children’s rights which the Jewish and Muslim communities surely share, recommends that member States provide for ritual circumcision of children not to be allowed unless practised by a person with the requisite training and skill, in appropriate medical and health conditions. Furthermore, the parents must be duly informed of any potential medical risk or possible contraindications and take these into account when deciding what is best for their child, bearing in mind that the child’s interest must be considered the first priority."