Proposal In Norway Would Bring Ritual Circumcision Under Government Health System

In Norway, the Labour Party is proposing a change in the health care law so that ritual circumcisions of boys-- practiced by Jews and Muslims-- will be covered without charge as part of the public health system. Views and News From Norway reported yesterday that under the proposal, parents will be permitted to either have only a doctor present, or have an individual connected with their religion and experienced in circumcision carry out the procedure under the observation of medical professionals. Since the government ended coverage 10 years ago, practitioners from other countries without recognized qualifications are often carrying out the procedure. Many Norwegian doctors are opposed to circumcision where there is no medical reason for it. The new law, however, has no specific provision for doctors to refuse to perform the procedure for ethical reasons. Also, for older children, the boy's consent as well as that of the parents would be required. The government ombudsman for children disagrees with the proposal, instead seeking to ban circumcision for boys under 16 or 18 years of age.