Berlin Allows Circumcision But Not 'Mohels'
The city of Berlin has imposed new legal conditions on
parents who have their boys circumcised, as a former head of Germany's Jewish
community blasted the national debate about the practice.
Following a recent court ruling saying the rite amounted
to grievous bodily harm, Berlin's top justice official, Thomas Heilmann, said
the new policy was intended to protect the rights of Jewish and Muslim parents
and their children.
"We explicitly welcome Muslim and Jewish life in
Berlin," Heilmann said. "That is only possible if freedom to practise
religion is possible."
Heilmann said this freedom would be upheld, but only with
certain provisos.
Both parents must give written permission after being informed
of the risks of the procedure, and provide proof of the "religious
motivation and religious necessity of the circumcision" before the child
is old enough to take the decision himself.
Heilmann said this could come in the form of a written
declaration from the parents or their religious congregation.
Thirdly, the practice must be carried out only by doctors
according to a "medically professional standard" including a sterile
environment, as little pain as possible and care to stop bleeding.
Heilmann said the location did not necessarily have to be
a hospital.
"Doctors tell me that this can be achieved elsewhere
with minimal effort," he said, adding that Jewish mohels who traditionally
perform the "brit milah" or circumcision on the eighth day of life
lacked the necessary medical training.
Heilmann said Berlin had created the new legal framework
at the request of doctors seeking clarity after the court ruling in the western
city of Cologne published in June.
He said the rules would apply at least until the German
parliament passes legislation on the issue, which is expected in the next few
months.
The Berlin restrictions are largely in line with
recommendations last month from a parliamentary ethics committee.
The medical director of the Jewish Hospital in Berlin,
Kristof Graf, said he was "satisfied with the solution" put forward
by Heilmann, noting that there had been no circumcisions performed at his
facility since June.
Normally the hospital conducts 80 to 100 per year, Graf
said.
Meanwhile Germany has turned into a patchwork quilt of
regulations, with public prosecutors in the southwestern cities of Stuttgart
and Karlsruhe saying they will hold off taking action against parents who have
sons circumcised, at least until federal legislation is passed.
Diplomats admit that the ruling has proved
"disastrous" for Germany's international image, particularly in light
of its Nazi past, following uproar from religious and political leaders in
Israel as well as Muslim countries.
About four million Muslims and more than 200,000 Jews
live in Germany.
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