CIRCUMCSCRIBING CIRCUMCISION:
RE-EXAMINING ROUTINE MALE CIRCUMCISION AS A
VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Submitted by:
Abel D. Alegre
2003
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction
A. Background of the Study 1
B. Statement of the Problem 3
C. Objective and Methodology 7
D. Scope and Limitations 8
II. The Issue of Circumcision
A. Female Genital Mutilation
i. History 9
ii. What is FGM 11
iii. Rationale 14
iv. The Controversy Surrounding Male and Female Circumcision
1. FGM Considered a Violation of Human Rights 15
2. Domestic Laws of Various States Prohibiting FGM 18
B. Male Circumcision
i. History 18
ii. Definition of Male Circumcision 20
iii. Rationale of Male Circumcision
1. Medical 21
2. Religious 22
3. Cultural 25
III. The Medical Aspect (The Procedure, Benefits and Risks of Circumcision)
A. Procedure of Circumcision 27
B. The Prepuce or Foreskin 28
C. Effects of Removal of the Prepuce or Foreskin 31
D. Pain 32
E. Psychological Effects 33
F. Demystifying Circumcision (Countering Circumcision Arguments
With Medical Data) 35
G. Complications of Circumcision 37
H. Medical Societies Do Not Encourage Routine Circumcision 39
A. International Law (International Law is Binding Under Philippine Law) 42
i. Routine Male Circumcision is Not For the Best Interest of the
Child 44
ii. Routine Male Circumcision is a Violation of a Person’s
Right to Bodily Integrity 46
iii. Routine Male Circumcision is a Traditional Practice Prejudicial
to the Health of the Child 48
iv. Routine Male Circumcision Lacks Informed Consent 51
1. No Informed Consent on the Part of the Minors 52
2. No Informed Consent on the Part of the Parents 53
B. Constitutional Law
i. Freedom of Religion 54
ii. Parental Authority 56
A. Jurisprudential Tools 58
i. United States and United Kingdom Treatment of Circumcision 58
ii. Philippine Treatment of Circumcision 60
B. Possibility of TRO 60
VI. Recommendations: Statutory Restriction of Routine Male Circumcision 63
VII. Conclusion 66