European Jewish Parliament criticises a bill proposing a ban on non-medical circumcisions in Denmark

The Danish parliament is scheduled to consider a bill proposing a ban on non-medical circumcisions.

A former interior minister and leader of the left-leaning Forward party Ammitzboll-Bille wrote: “I don’t think cutting little boys should be legal in connection with an old, religious ritual. That’s my principled stance. That a person’s body belongs to them and that young men should get to decide whether they want to be circumcised. That’s why I am in favour of introducing an age limit of 18 years for non-medical circumcision.”

EJP Vice Chairman Cefi Kamhi expressed his concern regarding the issue:

“Circumcision is a Jewish tradition which caused no health hazard or harm except for allowing Nazis to identify Jews. By the same logic Denmark should ban aesthetic surgery as well.”

And according to the Freedom of religion and religious communities in Denmark

” Denmark enjoys freedom of religion. This means that people are allowed to form congregations for the worship of God in a manner according with their convictions. It is a condition, however, that nothing is taught or done that is contrary to good morals or public order, see section 67 of the Danish Constitution.The religion or the community in question does not need approval from the Danish State. Religious communities may exist under the general freedoms of religion and association without any kind of public registration.”

EJP Vice Chairman Alexander Zanzer strongly criticised the proposed ban:

“Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. We have seen the same issue within Belgium. The minister of animal welfare has instituted a ban on kosher slaughter. Now the European Court says that it goes against European law. His reaction was that he doesn’t accept that the court is above democracy by majority. So all these people who in the name of animal or child welfare want to destroy the division of powers between parliament and judiciary, want only power  and in fact destroy democracy. The issue of circumcision is not if a promise was made by the Prime Minister, it is the defence of a fundamental right to exercise freely any religion as long as it doesn’t affect the freedom of others. European countries taking anti-religious votes, don’t do this to protect children or animals, they react against Islam or from antisemitic impulses. It is time that the reasons are in the open.”