NationStates Jolt Archive

Circumcision to be Outlawed

Religious practices deemed barbaric and archaic, by Voice of Democracy

National Affairs Columnist, Ansar Javed

EARLIER today, the House of Democracy proposed an amendment to the law making circumcision illegal.

The announcement comes as yet another blow in a series of such today various religions. However Philip Dunford, the First Speaker of the Voice of Democracy, stated it was not further action in the villification of religion within Cruxium.

Currently circumcision is legal, however under the new law, both male and female circumcision for religious or aesthetic reasons would become illegal. However, circumcision would still be legal if medically necessary.

The Cruxian Jewish Council and members of the Cruxian Islamic Society both have spoken out against the move as a breach of the rights of parents, as have numerous unaffiliated members of society, since the revelation this morning. Despite this, the House of Democracy has as yet made no further statement.

The amendment is to be made to The People's Rights Act, Law I, wherein it would be considered 'maiming, wounding, and/or grievous bodily harm of a person or persons' to circumcise them.

A public vote is expected to be issued within the future.

It is reminiscent of the enforcement of Pro-Choice (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=505930&highlight=Cruxium)across Cruxium a year previous.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/Glyphick47/Flags/NewKiravianEMpireflag.png

Kiravian Empire

Permissim Astrav Subleucim

Imperial Secriat of State

International Comments Office

We in the Kiravian Empire are, ironically, inclined to support this new measure taken in Cruxium. However, we do have one question: Is this law to prevent circumcision of minors that is presumed involuntary, or does it also forbid willful adults from becoming circumcised of their own volition?

The August Imperial Secriat of Kirivia,

In response to your earlier communique, I am authorised to give the following information by my fellow members of the Voice of Democracy of Cruxium:

Circumcision will remain legal amongst consenting adults insofar as it is on par with other bodily alterations as piercings and tattoos. However, circumcision will not be provided by the Cruxian Health Service, nor by Cruxium's private healthcare providers, such as LifeWyze, unless deemed medically advantageous to the person's quality of life. As such, those seeking circumcision for non-medicinal purposes would be required to seek treatment outside of Cruxium.

Further, circimcision will be illegal for minors, those under the age of 21. While this may sound similar to the situation for adult, it differs vastly. Circimcision for minors will be made completely illegal, and those taking minors abroad for circumcision will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. The only exception to the law is where circumcision would be medically advantageous to the minor's quality of life.

Clarification of what is deemed medically advantageous is currently undergoing continued review, however initial reports indicate that the decision will be down to a panel of Senior Physician, Senior Surgeon, Surgical Consultant, Urologist and a Law Lord. This panel will deliberate over the matter, and will rule accordingly. This may be appealed against once within the first three months of the primary decision, wherein it will be reviewed by a different panel from other hospitals and/or locations than those involved in the previous decision. Cost of this will be borne by the taxpayer, where it shall be represented by an increase in national medical insurance.

We thank you for any support you give to us during this time, and hope that our clarification of the rulings will not be detrimental to your regard for the Cruxium Voice of Democracy.

-Harold Walter Jones-Silversmith, M.A. (Oxon), Ph.D,
Voice of National Medical Affairs,
Voice of Democracy, Cruxium.

The clarification of your rulings strikes us as quite reasonable, cementing our support of your policy. Circumcision laws in the Empire are not as binding, but do have the same aims and basic goals which are acheived.

Circumcision Vote to Commence

Government Information Packs Condemned

Marcus Brodrig, National Affairs Columnist

FROM midday today, schools around Cruxium will close to allow the opening of voting booths to decide upon the controversial proposal of outlawing circumcision.

For the past week running up the vote, the Government has been issuing information packs on circumcision listing the dangers of the surgery, possible side-effects, and issues of Human Rights abuse.

Once again Cruxium's Islamic Society and Jewish Council have publically condemned the move, this time referring to the information packs as being 'propoganda... unworthy of a nation considering itself a democracy', and 'further evidence of the anti-religious agenda of the Government'.

No one from the House of Democracy was officially available for comment, however an unofficial source did claim that the concept that the packs were propaganda was 'ridiculous, and the mere fabrication of desperate men clinging to their archaic traditions'.

There have also been rumours leaking from the House of Democracy that the Empire of Kirav has supported the proposed amendment, after a series of semi-official communiques between nations.

Initial polls issued by the Cruxian Independant and the Cruxian Times suggest that the on average, 64% of the population are in favour of the amendment, however it is expected that the Jewish and Islamic communities will turn out in force during the voting, as well as parent rights groups, which may tilt the vote.

Results on the vote will be published by the Government tomorrow after an overnight count.

(OOC: If people could refrain from out of character posts unless absolutely necessary to either forwarding or joining this thread, then kindly do so. Thanks.

P.S., Buddha C could you delete your post. Or alternatively, could a moderator delete it, please?)

Lone Alliance Reponse:

While we wholely agree with eliminating Female Circumcision, as the majority of them are simply designed for torture or to make sure the female cannot ever enjoy intercourse or any sort of sexual action. The so called 'dangers' of Male Circumcision are as mythical as some claim religion is.

The area removed is a vestical system that is an uneeded throwback of evolution. Perhaps you should make it a law that only people who believe in evolution be allowed to do it. If they are creationists then by law they will not be allowed to do it, as it would infringe their own beliefs.
That would be wonderfully Ironic and would eliminate 99% of religious extremists commiting said act.
-Ministry of Health
-Ministry of International Equality.

Representatives of the Lone Alliance,

We take the stance that circumcision, as with any surgery, is open to compilcations and risks. Skin bridging is possible, for example, making erections painful and thus requiring surgical correction at a later date. Further there is the risk of necrosis, cysts and ulceration of the glans, as well as an increased likelihood of penile cancer(1). There is also, of course, an only partially investigated risk of mental damage incurred by circumcision, as well as confidence issues within those suffering from large amounts of scar tissue or living in a predominantly uncircumcised populous.

Furthermore, scientists have stated that removal of the foreskin removes sensitive receptors and nerves within the male penis, thereby reducing male sexual pleasure(2). This is faintly similar to female circumcision, albeit on nowhere near the same scale, however bares enough similarity to cause concern if factually accurate.

Whilst we appreciate other scientists have claimed otherwise, we of the Voice of Democracy feel that where the health of people are concerned, it is better not to take risks based on parental preferences.

Please find our sources for this information enclosed, and we hope that you are at least partially enlightened on what you consider to be mere myths.

-Harold Walter Jones-Silversmith, M.A. (Oxon), Ph.D,
Voice of National Medical Affairs,
Voice of Democracy, Cruxium.

Sources;
(1) Maden, C; et al (Jan 1993). "History of circumcision, medical conditions, and sexual activity and risk of penile cancer". J Natl Cancer Inst 85
(2)Boyle, Gregory J; Svoboda, J Steven; Goldman, Ronald; Fernandez, Ephrem (2002). "Male circumcision: pain, trauma, and psychosexual sequelae". Bond University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.