Is Circumcision a Human Rights Violation?

In the court of Cologne, Germany, judges had called circumcision a "criminal act", equating it with bodily harm.  Jewish and Muslim groups around the world have expressed deep concern over the ruling.  If all of Germany declares circumcision a criminal act, people would either have to travel abroad for the ritual procedure, or emigrate from Germany entirely.

While many studies show that there are multiple health benefits to circumcision,  these benefits are often debated.  Jewish and Muslim groups, as well as secular ones, also have conflicting views on circumcision.

Male circumcision is addressed in the Old Testament.  God commanded that Abraham, all of the men of his tribe, and all descendants should cut their foreskins to show their loyalty to God and also to identify themselves as God's Chosen People.  It is the responsibility of the father to circumcise his son when he is eight days old.  The family hires a mohel, or a ritual circumciser, to perform this duty during a celebration.  The mohel receives special training in this art.  Secular Jews will take their baby boys to a hospital for a surgical procedure.  To date, there has been no evidence that this procedure harms Jewish males or their sexual capabilities, and no reports of Jewish males suffering injury or death from the procedure. 

Male circumcision is not addressed in the Koran, but has become regular practice for Muslims around the world.  Legend has it, however, that Mohammed said that circumcision is traditional for men and "meritorious" for women...but never said that Allah requires it.  Depending on their cultural traditions, male Muslims are circumcised at different ages.  Grown men who convert to Islam may be expected to have themselves circumcised.

Unlike male circumcision, female circumcision (also known as "female genital mutilation" or FGM) has no health benefits, and has been proven to cause harm to women later in life.  It is an extremely painful procedure that often renders a woman unable to enjoy sexual intercourse, and can lead to various forms of cancer.  Some families who come from countries that practice FGM seek asylum in non-FGM practicing countries, to protect their daughters from this damaging practice.  Female circumcision is against the law in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Sweden, as well as in 15 African countries...but Germany has yet to outlaw this practice.

If the German circumcision ruling does something to address FGM, that would be one giant leap for womankind.