The Local Germany

Court: circumcision too risky for six-year-old

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 10:40:00 +0200

A German court has forbidden a woman from having her six-year old son circumcised because of a risk of psychological damage. The decision comes a year after a similar ruling sparked an international outcry.

Parliament adopts law allowing circumcision

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:12:00 +0100

Germany's parliament passed a law on Wednesday to allow religious circumcision, clarifying the legal situation after a court said the rite amounted to grievous bodily harm in a ruling that caused international uproar.

Merkel soothes Jewish ire over circumcision row

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:39:00 +0100

Angela Merkel has tried to ease the concerns of Germany's Jews over a disputed court ruling against circumcision, becoming the first chancellor to address the Jewish community's annual council meeting.

Cabinet agrees new circumcision bill

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:20:00 +0200

If the government has its way, religious circumcision will remain legal in Germany providing it is carried out to medical standards. Angela Merkel's cabinet agreed re-drafted legislation on Wednesday.

New law to set conditions on circumcision

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:23:00 +0200

The German justice minister has drawn up the outlines of new legislation permitting the circumcision of boys, after a Cologne court controversially deemed the rite to be a crime.

Jews, Muslims protest for right to circumcise

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:07:00 +0200

Several hundred demonstrators gathered in Berlin on Sunday to protest for a law safeguarding those practicing religious male circumcision. German lawmakers have promised to meet their demands, but doctors have expressed warnings.

Judge questions legality of child ear-piercing

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:19:00 +0200

A civil court in Berlin has called for clarification about whether ear-piercing of youngsters constitutes bodily harm after parents of a three-year-old girl sued a practitioner.

First report against rabbi for circumcision

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:00:00 +0200

A rabbi in Bavaria who has been reported to the authorities on suspicion of committing bodily harm because he carries out circumcisions, says he will not stop.

Young men launch pro-circumcision petition

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:55:00 +0200

Two young Jewish men and a Muslim man from Berlin have united to launch a joint petition against a German court's recent decision criminalise non-medical circumcision.

Germans evenly split over circumcision law

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:54:00 +0200

Germans are almost evenly split over the prospect of a law allowing ritual circumcision of boys, a new poll suggests – as the country’s major parties unite to call for such a law.

Germany pledges 'right to circumcise'

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 11:36:00 +0200

The German government on Friday pledged quick action to protect the right of Jews and Muslims to circumcise baby boys on religious grounds, after a court ruling that prompted international outcry.

Jews, Muslims increase calls for circumcision law

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 11:55:00 +0200

Germany is coming under increasing pressure over the court decision that ruled circumcision was bodily harm and thus a crime – with the Wiesenthal Centre quoting Hitler, and a Muslim group saying it was a blow against integration.

Hospital stops ops after circumcision ruling

Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:21:00 +0200

Berlin's Jewish Hospital has suspended all non-medical circumcision procedures amid legal uncertainty resulting from this week's court ruling that it amounts to bodily harm and criminal assault.

Muslims, Jews denounce circumcision ruling

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:55:00 +0200

German Muslims and Jews spoke with one voice on Wednesday – to denounce a court ruling which said circumcision was a crime of bodily harm. Both communities called for the criminalisation to be reversed.

Circumcision: religious right or crime?

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:55:00 +0200

A German court ruled that circumcision for non-medical reasons is bodily harm - a criminal assault - a decision that is bound to create uproar among Jewish and Muslim communities. Is it a reasonable ruling? Have your say.

Religious circumcisions are crimes says court

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:03:00 +0200

Religious circumcisions are bodily harm and thus a crime, a German court ruled this week, in what was dubbed a precedent-setting decision.