Finland is considering legalising the practice of male circumcision. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is currently preparing draft legislation, which would make circumcision acceptable when performed by a doctor, according to the parents’ wishes, and with the child’s consent.

According to the bill, parents can choose to perform the procedure on behalf of a small child. However difficulties may arise in cases where one parent opposes the circumcision.
Officials hope to bring the bill before Parliament as early as this year.

Currently the law is somewhat hazy. Information about circumcisions is passed on to police for further investigation. Police enquiries have put an end to some attempts to carry out circumcisions, since the procedure is treated as serious abuse.

Helsinki police are currently investigating two cases in which male circumcisions were performed by Jewish and Muslim families. Both operations were performed by persons brought into Finland by the families, and who were not medical professionals.

Police say that complications arose following the procedures and the babies had to be hospitalised. The cases will be reviewed by the prosecutor during the autumn.

(Source: YLE.FI)