Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Protecting Children’s Newsletter Bodily Integrity © ARC Winter 2006-2007. Volume 5, Issue 3 (Whole Number 15)

ceutical industry has discovered a In this Issue: universe of profitable products that Page 1, The Politics and Motivation and can be manufactured from stolen Motivation behind the African foreskins. Even though the trade in “Research” on Male Circumcision human organs and tissues, espe- .Dr. Paul Tinari

cially those taken without consent, Page 3, Why Not Laws Against MGM/ is universally banned as an affront FGM? An Anthropological Perspective Zachary Androus to human dignity (starting with the Nuremberg Laws passed in the Page 4, Infect Amnesty with Intactivism Van Lewis 1940’s), the circumcision industry has once again exempted itself from Page 6, Book Review: A Surgical Temp- any restrictions that would hinder tation: The Demonization of the Foreskin & the Rise of Circumcision in Britain. the profit of its operations. As a re- J. Steven Svoboda sult, each pilfered foreskin can be Page 8, Executive Director’s Message worth tens of thousands in commer- cial products – not bad for a product Page 9, International Symposium Dr. Paul Tinari Ph.D. J. Steven Svoboda that they get paid to steal, despite the protestations of its rightful Page 11, Circumcision Reduces Risk of The Politics and Motivation AIDS, Study Finds. New York Times behind the African “Research” owner. Page 12, Dad Gets 10 Years in U.S. FGM on Male Circumcision and Gandhi once said that the truth Case AP

HIV Infection can never be suppressed forever, Page 13, Sweden Jails Circumcision Fa-

and the carefully crafted façade ther BBC News By: Dr. Paul Tinari Ph.D., Research Epidemiologist constructed by the circumcision in- dustry has begun to crumble in the dustry has now targeted Africa as a For more than fifty years, the face of successful assault by scien- brand new “virgin” source of fore- circumcision industry in North tific and ethical facts. Parents are skins to be harvested for luxury America has reaped windfall profits now, in a powerfully rising tide, re- pharmaceutical products for well by use of a clever combination of jecting the lies and deceit of the heeled consumers in the developed disinformation, lies and fear. By baby mutilators, and increasingly world. Let there be no mistake: The carefully targeted lobbying, selec- embracing the axiom that if males circumcision industry does not give tive funding of political campaigns were meant to have a foreskin, then a damn about the health of African and by playing the “religious free- they would be born with one. And children – they are only seen as a dom” card, the industry assured that as such, it makes sense to believe new - and more gullible - resource laws were passed banning all forms that his creator gave a foreskin to its to exploit. of genital mutilation in females male owner because the intent was (even with consent), but shamefully for him to keep it. If the industry truly cared about and in blatant violation of both the health of Africans, then it would Charter and Constitutional guaran- As parents are now increasingly be funding proper epidemiological tees of gender equality, permitted responding to scientific fact and studies, not the severely flawed, po- the genital mutilation of males reason instead of to hysterical litically motivated “research” that (without consent). The sad fact is claims and superstition, circumci- has just been selectively made pub- that while in Canada it is a Class D sion rates have plummeted to single lic. Why the obsession with ONLY Felony to mutilate a corpse, circum- digit percentages in many jurisdic- studying male circumcision and cisors can mutilate living children tions. This is most worrying to the HIV infection? circumcision industry, because their (and even kill them) without fear of Why is it that although female criminal prosecution. profits have begun to suffer. Seeing no hope of increasing supplies from circumcision was also found to re- In the last ten years, the pharma- North America or Europe, the in- duce HIV infection at the same con- 2 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007 ference where Auvert presented his each of these factors is potentially a where circumcision is virtually un- alleged “evidence” that male cir- far greater contributor to ease of known? Why is it ignored that the cumcision can help lower HIV rates HIV infection in males than the Western nation with the highest cir- that absolutely no media attention presence or absence of a foreskin. It cumcision rates, the , was given to the study involving is also criminally liable as well as also has the highest rates of HIV cutting female genitals? After all, scientific malpractice that the or- infection? the female labia have exactly the chestrators of the study choose not The truth can be obtained by same cellular receptors as the male to report that female circumcision asking the innocent question: “Who foreskin. Since it has now been es- was also discovered to reduce the sponsored this highly flawed re- tablished that circumcised females incidence of HIV infection. The search and for what political pur- have a lower risk of HIV infection fundamental purpose of science is pose?” The true intent of the study than intact ones, then why are re- to educate and enlighten – not to organizers can be deduced by their searchers not demanding large scale deceive and manipulate. Because of boastful claim that the results of circumcision of females in North this, to be blunt, these research re- this research would have all African America to give women the same sults are scientific garbage and men “lining up” to get circumcised. alleged protection from HIV that should be treated as such. As usual, the African get conned men are getting? In conclusion, the sad truth is while the Western multinational Why has no study been con- that these were not professional, corporations laugh all the way to ducted on the link between “dry” objective scientific researchers who the bank. intercourse and HIV infection? Dry were conducting an unbiased study A little digging will reveal that intercourse, popular with many Af- whose goal was the improvement of this research was paid for by the rican men, consists of drying out human welfare. Rather, these are same sponsors who soon hope to the vagina before intercourse by us- little more than amateur hacks, with richly profit from harvesting a huge ing harsh astringents. The dry, irri- at best a poor understanding of ele- new supply of African foreskins. tated and cracked vaginal tissues mentary epidemiological or statisti- After all, the same poverty stricken are far more prone to tearing, bleed- cal principles who were willing to Africans were easily conned by ing and hence, to HIV infection. do anything to prove their pre- Western multinationals into buying Why have no studies been made on supposed dogma – that male cir- expensive formula (diluted with the link between malaria infection cumcision prevents HIV infection. contaminated water) for their chil- and HIV susceptibility? Hundreds Why is the inconvenient fact ig- dren, instead of using free, healthy of millions of Africans are infected nored that the lowest rates of HIV and sterile breast milk. by the malaria parasite. Certainly it infection in the world are found in -Dr. Paul Tinari, Ph.D. is of interest if this increases a per- the Scandinavian nations, countries son’s risk of HIV infection.

And what about the known links between the prevalence of other STDs and HIV infection? Antibi- otic resistant gonorrhoea and syphi- lis are epidemic throughout Africa, and it is well known that their pres- ence greatly facilitates HIV trans- mission to an infected individual. For that matter, any systemic infec- tion that compromises the immune system including tuberculosis, sleeping sickness and many para- sitical worms (all of which are en- demic throughout Africa), will all greatly facilitate HIV infection.

It is scientifically criminal that none of these factors was controlled for in the recently announced but still unpublished “research.” Yet From left to right; ARC associates J. Steven Svoboda, Jeff Borg (graphic designer), Art Coons (student coordinator), Georganne Chapin (board member) , David Llewellyn (board member). 3 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007 Why Not Laws Against MGM/ or innocence of the parent(s) of the childhood genital surgeries. FGM? An Anthropological little girl in question. I agree with I personally believe in the im- Perspective Prof. Gruenbaum, and believe that portance of individual choice in the the same thing is true about legisla- matter of elective surgeries, Zachary Androus tion in the United States. The law whether those surgeries are elected PhD Candidate in Race, Gender, serves to make a statement con- for social, religious, ethnic, or per- and Social Justice demning the practice of FGM more sonal reasons. I therefore find the Department of Anthropology than it serves to provide an instru- medicalized neonatal circumcision American University ment for addressing problems asso- to be problematic for a variety of Washington, DC ciated with the practice. From an reasons, not the least of which is its anthropological perspective, laws unjustified exclusion from the bio- Recently a sentence was handed and their enforcement can be under- ethical guidelines applicable to down in the trial of a man stood to reflect the values of a soci- other appearance-modifying surger- found guilty of having had his ety more than any overarching prin- ies on children. daughter genitally mutilated. While ciples of justice. several aspects of the case reported However, I do not support the in various national media might There is nothing inherently prob- MGM Bill, nor do I believe that le- raise questions about the veracity of lematic with the modification of the gal prohibitions are an effective or his guilt, not having been present at human body; indeed, such practices appropriate strategy for change in the trial I do not feel qualified to are universally present among hu- the United States or in the numer- comment on any of its substantive man societies. The problems arise ous African and European countries components. Instead, I would like when such practices violate stan- that have adopted anti-FGM legisla- to use the recent comments of an- dards of acceptable behavior, and tion. There are two main reasons thropologist Ellen Gruenbaum on the laws that prohibit them in the for this: first, legal prohibition is this case as a starting point for ex- United States follow naturally from not necessarily an effective means plaining why, from an anthropo- these violations of U.S. cultural val- for changing people’s behavior, and logical perspective, I do not support ues. This is the reason that male second, such laws create the poten- legislative bans on childhood geni- circumcision is currently allowed tial for significant negative conse- tal modification, despite my per- under U.S. law. quences. sonal opposition to such practices. This is also why there has been As to the first reason, several so little movement from the legisla- scholars have reported that legal ture on a legal prohibition, despite prohibitions have done little to af- the obvious violation of the equal fect FGM rates in African nations. protection standard that arises from Especially in these postcolonial a law that applies exclusively to contexts, little attention is paid at women. (The MGM Bill was not the local level to the laws of the na- authored by a legislator, nor has it tional governments. Sociologist yet been sponsored by one on the Elizabeth Heger Boyle has convinc- federal level.) Male circumcision ingly argued that more than any- simply does not violate widely held thing else, these laws reflect the standards for appropriate behavior pressure that the international com- in U.S. society; many, if not most munity, and powerful Western na- people just don’t see a problem tions in particular, have put on Afri- with it. can governments to condemn FGM. Zachary Androus In principle, laws are social and Similarly, laws passed in the Professor Gruenbaum, in her governmental instruments that regu- United States and several European role as discussant for a panel on late society and protect the rights of countries reflect the lobbying of ac- Male and Female Genital Surgeries individuals and groups, but in prac- tivist groups more than they do a held at the recent annual meeting of tice they serve to define and enforce response to any rash of female cir- the American Anthropological As- dominant social norms and stan- cumcisions being performed among sociation, said she thought that the dards. Generally speaking, laws immigrant populations. Apart from ruling in Georgia was a condemna- define and enforce what is socially scattered case reports, reliable in- tion of the practice itself rather than acceptable, not what is right. This formation on the extent of such a determination of the actual guilt is particularly clear in the case of practices within immigrant commu- 4 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007 nities is simply unavailable. Wher- do not support the continuation of I've recently had another Am- ever they live, people who have socially motivated neonatal circum- nesty International learning experi- changed their minds about circum- cision, but neither do I support leg- ence, mistakes and all. cising their children have been led islation banning the practice, be- With Matthew Hess and others to do so through information and cause such legislation is not an ef- from MGMbill.org, in October, social pressure arising from within fective means for changing the 2005, I attended my first AI meet- their own families and communities minds of parents who see nothing ing, Amnesty USA's Western Re- rather than through the influence of wrong with having their children gional Conference in San Francisco. national legislation threatening circumcised. We learned there (for the umpteenth them with fines and prison sen- -Zachary Androus time) that well-meaning resolutions tences. declaring equal genital rights for Regarding my second reason, Infect Amnesty with males are about as welcome at Am- African nations and the United Intactivism! nesty conventions as overflowing States are certainly very different in septic tanks are at gourmet ban- many ways. Nevertheless, it is by Van Lewis quets. After the disappointing 2005 clear that male circumcision, how- Administrator of the website of the vote, we were given some very ever contested it may be, remains a Ashley Montagu Campaign Against good advice for the future by well- socially acceptable practice in the the Torture and Mutilation of Chil- meaning friends. We tried to follow U.S., just as male and female cir- dren. it this year. cumcision do in many African so- Ever heard about avoiding mak- "Back off a bit," they advised, as cieties: even when U.S. doctors ad- ing mistakes by not doing anything? I remember now the message they vise that there is no medical reason Well, I'm one of those who makes tried to give us. "Most of the people for the procedure, many parents mistakes, lots of them. Unfortu- here never thought about this issue continue to request it and many nately for my friends, I seem to like before today. Instead of asking doctors continue to provide it. It it like this! Lots of them seem to these clueless people to declare seems to me unlikely that the MGM prefer that I make no mistakes, and equal genital rights, ask them to bill will pass into law in this social they're often willing to try to help STUDY the issue of whether or not climate, and even if it were, it me avoid mistakes by giving me male circumcision violates human seems even less likely that it would sincere and very good advice, but I rights. Study resolutions are what see much enforcement. If such leg- always seem to learn a lot more/ induced Amnesty to begin its work islation were to pass, I would antici- to end female genital mutilation, pate a similar sort of backlash as and to support equal rights for gays has been seen against intervention- and lesbians. Maybe it'll work for ist legal efforts in other societies you, too." where various forms of childhood genital surgery enjoy widespread Sounded like a good idea to me. acceptance: misunderstanding, con- I vowed then to attend the 2006 fusion, and resentment are predict- Amnesty USA Southern Regional able results of laws perceived to tar- Conference (I'm from the South, get ordinary, normal behavior. So mistakes and all) and carry a study what to do? resolution on the subject with me. Matthew Hess wrote it and took it As an anthropologist, I believe to the Western Regional this year, that effective social change rarely Van Lewis, website administrator of Ashley where it was defeated. I followed, comes from the top down, but Montagu Campaign, with granddaughter Sadie taking it to New Orleans, Novem- rather via grassroots activism. Na- ber 3-5. Let me tell you about it. tional legislation criminalizing an better from the stupid mistakes I activity that most people don’t see make than I do from their heartfelt Wait 'til next year! Or rather, as criminal just won’t work. In attempts to keep me from making DON'T wait 'til next year! cases of both female and male cir- them. Sad but true! cumcision in the United States and I think I did it wrong this year. So here's to the many mistakes elsewhere, large-scale social change That's the bad news. The good news we intactivists make. May you begins with small-scale, friendly is I think I know now how to do it make lots of them in your heartfelt exchanges of information and opin- right, or righter anyway. I'm learn- work for the babies! ing! At least I'm fired up and want ion rather than accusations of harm 5 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007 to try what might be a little bit Amnesty. Then five bus loads of us genital modification" but didn't smoother, cleaner approach next went on a bus tour of Katrina's New think of it in the heat of the mo- year. We'll see how it goes. Orleans. The devastation was over- ment. We had spent quite a lot of whelming. Unfathomable. Seeing it time on it and people were wanting One advantage for us, I believe, is up close and personal was inde- to move on. I knew the next vote on that the majority of attendees at these scribable. Mile after mile after mile ending debate would put the resolu- conferences seem to be young peo- of destroyed homes, neighborhoods, tion to a vote and it did. ple. Lots of college students, and businesses, along with efforts to re- even some high school students. It's hard for me to understand build, in some but not all of the THIS is how we can get into the na- how any member of Amnesty Inter- neighborhoods. tion's HIGH SCHOOLS! I'm going to national could oppose trying to find start with Florida and Georgia and In the afternoon, we went to the out whether or not injuring and kill- see how it goes. More on this in a Working Parties sessions, where we ing babies and children for nothing moment. took up the five resolutions offered violates their human rights, but the to the conference. Working Party A vote was 1 in favor (guess who), 29 Friday evening after supper I did had our resolution and two others. opposed, and 6 abstaining. I was get to go with the conference atten- B took up the other two. All passed shocked at the one-sided outcome. dees into downtown New Orleans to but ours. We were first up. I talked There had been more positive re- an art gallery where Amnesty USA first, introducing the resolution. It sponse during discussion. I had ac- Executive Director Larry Cox spoke. asks Amnesty to study the issue of tually gotten the feeling at one point For me it was an inspiring speech. male genital mutilation in its health that it might pass. Cox himself is an impressive and im- and human rights consequences. passioned defender of human rights I think one of the things that (See below.) After the first question and of the central IDEAS of human happened was that both I and the to me the "question was called", an rights, that we all possess all of these resolution wording were perceived effort to shut down questions, and essential, inalienable rights equally, as not being objective enough. discussion/debate, and vote on the and that everybody, including the (Surprise!) I think I got too much resolution itself. It failed resound- governments of the world, must learn into advocating our position when I ingly, and I was encouraged. People to respect them and not violate them, should have been more clearly and wanted more information and a real OR ELSE! He's been working at it cleanly advocating that we STUDY opportunity to talk about it. for a long time, and sees the Bush the VARIOUS positions. Administration in particular as a seri- There weren't more questions, After the session was over, I met ous threat to and violator of human supposedly, so we went to the dis- a wonderful young man and woman rights and isn't afraid to give details cussion/debate phase. Almost eve- (who hadn't been present at the and name names. I was happy to be ryone who spoke DID have a ques- working party debates) who I at able to see Amnesty USA's new Ex- tion they wanted to ask me, and so I first took to be college students, ecutive Director in action. got to answer questions for a while, maybe seniors about to graduate. until someone objected that we I went right up to him and said, Turns out they were seniors all were supposed to be in discussion/ "The Amnesty International I believe right, but high school seniors, from debate, not questions. Another at- in protects the human right to secu- Atlanta, amazingly mature, intelli- tempt was made to shut off discus- rity of person and bodily integrity in- gent and interested folks. I gave sion and vote on the resolution. It cluding genital integrity of EVERY them lots of information and they failed again, but on a tie vote this human being, not just females." soaked it up. time. Discussion continued for a "Oh, I've heard of you,” he re- little longer, but the handwriting The guy turned out to be one of plied. “I encourage you to continue if was on the wall. Amnesty's two Student Area Coor- you believe in that. This is a democ- dinators from Georgia. He helps all One objection to our resolution ratic organization and we do the work of Amnesty's high school groups in that seemed to swing the mood was our members tell us to. Don't give up north Georgia. He says he'll help from someone who said that by too soon." me bring the issue to them. There calling it "male genital mutilation" was a Florida Student Area Coordi- in the resolution, we were prejudic- I don't think he needs to worry nator there too. I didn't get to meet ing the outcome of the study. If I about that. I won't give up, period. him, but will find out how to con- had been on my toes and more ex- tact and communicate with him Saturday morning there was a perienced I would have suggested through the Georgia guy. Meeting good plenary session with a number an amendment to change it to "male of impressive southern workers in these two high school students and 6 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007 talking with them for a couple of BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Book Review hours Saturday evening was by far the study report shall also be pre- By Steven Svoboda the highlight of my weekend. sented to the AIUSA membership They had, I thought, a couple of (during a panel entitled "Children at A Surgical Temptation: The De- excellent suggestions for modifica- Risk: Medical Procedures and monization of the Foreskin & the tions to the resolution that might Health Care Concerns"?) at the Rise of Circumcision in Britain. By help it pass next year. Without hav- 2009 AGM; Robert Darby. Chicago: University ing been in the meeting or hearing of Chicago Press, 2005. 374 pages. about any of the discussion on the BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that www.press.uchicago.edu. No price point, they suggested changing based on the findings of this study, stated on jacket but website gives "male genital mutilation" to "male the AIUSA Board shall advocate price as $35.00. genital modification". for clear AI policies on all medi- cally unnecessary, involuntary male The second change they sug- genital modifications at the next In- gested was to add "or may not" to ternational Council Meeting. the section that says "WHEREAS --- male genital mutilation may inter- fere with those rights". This would I'm very glad I went to this give it the further appearance and meeting this year, despite the terri- flavor of objectivity. So a revised ble vote. I'm even glad to have that resolution might go something like terrible vote on the record. It will this: Study of Medical Procedures stand in history as proof of the in- and Reproductive Rights of Chil- sanity of the US population, includ- dren and Adults ing the Amnesty USA population,

WHEREAS AI recognizes that sex- on male genital mutilation. (Excuse ual and reproductive rights are hu- me; "modifications".) Medical historian Robert Darby man rights; I'm also very glad to be a mem- and the University of Chicago Press WHEREAS AI recognizes all medi- ber of Amnesty. At least there is a have released A Surgical Tempta- cally unnecessary, involuntary fe- commitment to human rights and tion: The Demonization of the Fore- male genital modifications as viola- equal rights in the members of this skin & the Rise of Circumcision in tions of human rights; organization. That's a start. I think Britain. A Surgical Temptation is another of several books published WHEREAS medically unnecessary, the members and the organization in recent years by intactivists or involuntary male genital modifica- can be educated and changed faster sympathizers with intactivism. (Full tions may or may not violate human than the society at large. I think disclosure: While in Australia in rights; and when that job is done we'll have a powerful ally worldwide in the ef- 2002, I spent some brief yet treas- WHEREAS medically unnecessary, fort to change our society and world ured time with the author, who involuntary male genital modifica- on this important issue. more recently has joined with me in tions in the forms of circumcision, coauthoring a paper currently under subincision, superincision, skin The next Amnesty USA Annual consideration for publication.) stripping, and castration continue to General Meeting will be held in Given the publisher, the book natu- be practiced in certain world re- Milwaukee next March 23-25. We rally boasts top production values. gions; need to be there in force. Darby is simply superb as a medical historian, writer, and analyst of the BE IT RESOLVED that AIUSA Thanks, people. What a wonder- historical forces that gave rise to shall complete a study to determine medicalized circumcision in Britain the health and human rights conse- ful job to be learning how to do, and doing, mistakes and all, with (mainly England) starting in the quences of medically unnecessary, second half of the nineteenth cen- involuntary male genital modifica- you. -Van Lewis tury. The author has a remarkable tions, with the report to be pre- knack for unearthing and piecing sented to the AIUSA Board by Feb- together arcane data literally wrung ruary(?) 14(?), 2009; from the dustiest, darkest corners of BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the world’s top medical libraries, then synthesizing cogent conclu- 7 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007 sions regarding the social and medi- that some would probably consider cal forces that produces the ghastly, among the most speculative is Attorneys for the Rights of the bizarre history he recounts. Darby’s original analysis of the Child

works and lives of the poets Alfred 2961 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705 Intriguingly, Darby speculates Housman and W.H. Auden. Both Fax/phone: 510-595-5550 on p. 99, “If all doctors had been as men suffered circumcisions early in www.arclaw.org coolly inductive [as John Snow was email: [email protected] life that, based on the author’s in 1849 in identifying cholera’s J. Steven Svoboda, executive director penetrating reviews of their writ- transmission via a water pump], and Albert Fields, editor ings, may well have seriously Jeff Borg, graphic designer if the genitals had been regarded as Art Coons, student coordinator scarred them and also may have had neutrally as the digestive tract, cir- Associates of Attorneys for Rights of the Child a strong bearing on their artistic ca- cumcision as a preventive health receive no compensation. All contributions are reers. Darby is to be congratulated tax deductible and go directly towards paying measure might never have been expenses. for taking risks with his book and heard of.” The author outlines in delving into these fascinating issues detail the various forms of back- from which many authors would ward thinking in the field of sexual Executive Director’s Message have shied away. medicine that enabled circumcision As another year comes to a to endure in Britain for far longer In the end, Darby demonstrates, close, there is much for which to be than should have happened. Indeed, it was the disappearance of medical grateful. The movement to protect many of these errors in reasoning and popular concern (some would children’s bodily integrity continues and fact-gathering continue to be say obsession) with masturbation to make significant gains. The Au- used even today, wittingly or other- that made it possible for circumci- gust NOCIRC symposium held at wise, often in somewhat modified sion to decline in Britain thanks to the University of Washington in Se- form, to excuse and justify neonatal Douglas Gairdner’s flawed if highly attle was nothing short of spectacu- penile amputation. influential 1949 article. lar. (Please see article on page 9.) A mainstream English program aired The author outlines in detail the Not until he reaches his conclud- on the BBC early this year was so deliberate role in circumcision’s ing chapter does Darby do much favorable it could almost have been development played by famous connecting of dots to the modern produced by one of us. Most of you 19th century British physician Wil- era. In a few pages, he skillfully by now will be familiar with the liam Acton. Darby also locates and paints the evolution of the practice New York Times article that ap- deftly contextualizes a number of from the nineteenth century up to peared only a few days ago as I fascinating contemporaneous re- the present in Australia, New Zea- write this, on December 13, and the views of the work and writings of land, Canada, and the United States, horrific Lehrer News Hour story, the initially famous, then disgraced as well as bringing his tale about again suggesting that male genital Isaac Baker Brown. The author re- Britain up to present times. Each of mutilation may help prevent HIV. counts that “a central image in Vic- these English-speaking countries (The New York Times article is re- torian pathology was the corruption has a somewhat unique story, yet printed in this issue.) of the pure by contact with impu- the author shows us the commonal- rity, and its transformation into an- ities as well. Astonishingly, as can be seen in other impure agent that could the news story reprinted elsewhere A Surgical Temptation is quite spread further corruption.” in this issue, it is being suggested simply a spectacular book. It is that failing to circumcise could be Robert Darby possesses an ency- most highly recommended to any- unethical! Even all the recent media clopedic command of relevant writ- one reading these words and anyone attention to genital amputation and ings from a broad range of disci- else with an interest in one or more its supposed connection to HIV pre- plines and integrates them seam- of medical history, male sexuality, vention can be spun in our favor if lessly into his analysis. Many of the and social mythmaking. Don’t miss we are skillful about how we pro- always fascinating details provided it! ceed. As suggested by the Chinese by the author are only indirectly re- characters corresponding to these lated to circumcision itself. Often two words, in this crisis lies a clear the author is laying a broader social opportunity. (The Chinese character context, pursuing a line of argument for crisis incorporates the symbol that is relevant to the story Darby is for opportunity.) telling. Here at Attorneys for the Rights One of the sections of the book 8 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007 of the Child, we are happy to have tion to female genital cutting. us including myself continue to do our original Newsletter Editor, Al this work, and why my fellow intac- ARC is currently collaborating Fields, back on board. Al has al- tivists are the greatest folks in the with other genital integrity organi- ways been a good friend and a hard world. Van, Zachary, and Paul have zations and a social change strate- toiler to protect children, and it is each been generous enough to gist we jointly hired to upgrade and great to be working with him again. speak forthrightly about opinions professionalize the movement’s Art Coons is continuing to work that may be a bit controversial but strategy, tactics and message. We with us as our first Student Coordi- will certainly get us thinking. My will be putting together and distrib- nator. A few generous donations concept for the ARC newsletter has uting through our website and have pulled us firmly into the black always been trying to provide a through direct mail a “Know Your for the first time in our history. We place for activists to connect with Rights” brochure for potential are now starting to bring into reality each other, let our hair down a bit plaintiffs. Another project we are various projects that in the past and talk about strategy and our per- planning is creation of a video ex- have had to remain on the back sonal opinions. This is also the rea- plaining the interrelation of law, burner due to lack of funds. While son why we do not post the ARC human rights, and genital integrity. further assistance will be needed to Newsletter online, though we are The video will eventually be avail- complete the process, I am happy open to doing so in the future in a able through download from our that, for example, we are able to secured format. website. Upgrading our consider returning to the United Na- website is also on the tions in 2007 and renewing our shortlist of upcoming pro- work to obtain international recog- jects, so we can maximize nition of the right to male genital the effectiveness and reach integrity from Amnesty Interna- of our message to the tional. world to protect the genital The planned return to the UN integrity and bodily integ- will enable us to build on the work rity of all children. we did in Geneva in 2001, when the Before our next news- first human rights documents ever letter appears, we will to centrally address male circumci- reach our tenth anniver- sion as a human rights violation sary. When I officially were presented there and became founded ARC in early part of the official UN record. The 1997, following about two Steven Svoboda with son Eli and daughter Sarita timing is good, as the UN needs to years of preparations, I was be called to account for recently not really sure what to expect. joining in the call for mass circum- Also included in this issue is a Looking back at the past decade, I cision in Africa. I find their position review of Robert Darby’s superb feel pride in what the movement as highly ironic and more than a little book and reprints of news articles a whole and ARC in particular have galling given their staunch opposi- about the first known prosecution accomplished. There is far to go, ever under this law, which took but the intactivist place in October against a Georgia movement is an man convicted of circumcising his amazing group and I daughter. am proud to be able to be part of it. I wish everyone the happiest of times in what remains of the holi- This issue’s days, and a joyous New Year. guest authors are Zachary Androus, Van Lewis, and A special thanks to James Paul Tinari. Very, Loewen for permission to use very different many of his photos appearing in though they are, this issue. All photos without their articles are dates in the lower right hand each perfect exam- corner were taken by James. Left to right: ARC Board Member Georganne, Steven Svoboda, Van ples of why many of Lewis, and Irene Dillon, General Counsel of Hudson Health Plan. 9 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007 Ninth International an American anthropologist who British Columbian Paul Tinari Symposium opposed genital modification of earned the admiration if not awe of children yet wishes to learn from everyone present with his horren- Text: J. Steven Svoboda his subjects why these practices are dous tale of suffering circumcision Photos: James Loewen performed. Androus’ second topic as a schoolboy, then managing to NOCIRC’s Ninth International was a report on reported reasons for become the first man ever to obtain Symposium on Circumcision, Geni- elective adult circumcisions. Steve state coverage for his reparative tal Integrity, and Human Rights Scott provided us with a penetrating surgeries. Morris Sorrells kept us took place from August 24- 26 in analysis and debunking of the nu- spellbound with his unveiling of Seattle. With over 130 attendees, it merous mythologies that continue what will hopefully become the first was the second largest symposium. to justify neonatal genital modifica- peer-reviewed published proof of tion. the penile sensitivity losses caused by circumcision. Filipino Romeo Lee and West Timor pro- fessor Primus Lake con- tributed two fascinating tales about genital modifi- cations overseas. Midwife Gloria Lemay showed us her powerful views on how we can end circumcision now. Finishing up the sec- ond day, Hugh Young en- Steven Svoboda thralled us with his light yet thorough review of cir- cumcision as presented in Patricia Robinett courageously the mass media, particularly on shared parts of her own astonishing television and also in film. personal story, which she discusses in further detail in her recently pub- As we sadly reached the final Marilyn Milos lished book. The symposium’s first day, ARC Board Member Geor- day ended delightfully with Jess ganne Chapin started us off with a Grant’s humorous look at his own unique glimpse into the loony world For me, this was probably the circumcision through his song that of medical coding of procedures most fun I have ever had at a sym- he performed on guitar. and treatments for billing purposes. posium. So many good friends were I now understand so much more there, and I made a number of new ones as well. It was also one of the most consistently fascinating and engaging symposia ever.

David Chamberlain contributed a spellbinding and broad-ranging perspective on the psychology of birth, violence, and delusions that become accepted truths in civiliza- tions that themselves need healing. British lawyers Marie Fox and Mi- chael Thomson gave us an intrigu- ing suggestion of an alternative standard not tied to rights and fo- cusing on whether there exists a “compelling medical need.” Zach- ary Androus contributed two fasci- Steve Scott Patricia Robinett nating presentations, the first of which addressed the proper role for 10 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007 fully why good statistics on genital wonderful banquet and awards modifications and the effects they ceremony followed by a theatrical have are so hard to obtain. In many presentation. “It’s A Boy,” with cases, the data was never gathered music and lyrics by Ron Ro- in the first place! My presentation, manovsky and Betty Katz Sperlich “A Treatise from the Trenches: of Nurses for the Rights of the Why Are Circumcision Lawsuits So Child, managed to be entertaining Hard to Win?” attempted to demys- and moving at the same time. The tify legal proceedings and let every- knife juggling by Wil Albarez was one know about how societal limits astonishing, particularly for those prevent acknowledgement inside like myself seated in the first row. the courthouse of the importance of Also presenting in Seattle, with protecting the genital integrity of apologies that space limitations did males as well as females. not allow me to discuss their talks in detail, were Jody McLaughlin, James Snyder, George Hill, Ken McGrath, John Dalton, Len Glick, David Biviano Linda Massie, Yngve Hofvander, David Smith, Matthew Hess, and others. mother who did not circumcise. Suzanne Arms was as passionate and moving as always in calling for a total paradigm shift in which we all respect the integrity of every child and honor what each child brings. Martin Novoa talked about circumcision rates and money. Once government health care stops funding the procedure, rates tend to plunge.

Several excellent new films were Miriam Pollack shown during breaks from the spo- ken presentations. The symposium ended on a double high note, with a ARC Board Member David Lle- wellyn shared some intriguing war stories from his many battles for the rights of the child, and John Gei- Soraya Mire sheker presented his work on using writs of mandamus to protect chil- dren in Washington state. A sur- We will have to wait till the next prise discussion revealed the aston- symposium to hear from two pre- ishing progress being made by senters who were not able to be in Dean Ferris and others struggling to Seattle, Mostafa K. Al-Madawi protect genital integrity in South about Muslims and Circumcision Africa. Miriam Pollack moved eve- and from Frederick Hodges about ryone present with her tale of defin- Abraham Wolbarst and eugenic cir- ing what is sacred and using these cumcision. insights to help transform the awareness of Jewish women regard- Marilyn Milos and NOCIRC, ing circumcision. Newcomer Re- congratulations on another awe- becca Wald followed with her en- Gary Burlingame some event. gaging personal story as a Jewish 11 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007 Circumcision Reduces Risk of cision should be added to other pre- his agency “will support implemen- AIDS, Study Finds vention methods, not replace them, tation of safe medical male circum- he said. cision for HIV/AIDS prevention.” By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr. The two trials were carried out He too warned that it was only December 13, 2006 among nearly 3,000 men in Kisumu, one new weapon. Circumcising African men may , and nearly 5,000 men in Ra- “Prevention efforts must rein- cut their risk of catching AIDS in kai, Uganda. None were infected force the ABC approach — abstain, half, the National Institutes of with H.I.V., the virus that causes be faithful and correct and consis- Health said today as it stopped two AIDS; they were divided into cir- clinical trials in Africa, when pre- tent use of condoms,” he said. cumcised and uncircumcised liminary results suggested that cir- groups. They were given safe sex Uncircumcised men are thought cumcision worked so well that it advice — although many presuma- to be more susceptible to AIDS be- would be unethical not to offer it to bly did not take it — and retested cause the underside of the foreskin uncircumcised men in the trials. regularly. is rich in Langerhans’ cells, which

attach easily to the virus. The fore- AIDS experts immediately hailed The trials were stopped by the skin may also suffer small tears dur- the result, saying it gave the world a National Institutes of Health’s Data ing intercourse, making it more sus- new way to fight the spread of Safety and Monitoring Board this AIDS, and the directors of the two ceptible to infection. week after data showed that the largest funds for fighting the disease Kenyan men had a 53 percent reduc- Researchers have long noted that said they would now consider pay- tion in new H.I.V. cases and the parts of Africa where circumcision ing for circumcisions. Ugandan men a 48 percent reduc- is practiced — particularly in the

“This is very exciting news,” said tion. Muslim countries of West Africa — had much lower AIDS rates. But it Daniel Halperin, an H.I.V. specialist In Kenya, 22 of the 1,393 cir- was unclear whether other factors, at Harvard’s Center for Population cumcised young men in the study such as religion or polygamy, and Development, who has argued caught the disease, compared with in scientific journals for years that played important roles. 47 of the 1,391 uncircumcised men. circumcision slows the spread of Outside Muslim regions, circum- Those results echo the finding of AIDS in the parts of Africa where it cision is spotty. In , for a trial completed last year in the is practiced. example, the Xhosa people circum- town of Orange Farm, South Africa, cise teen-age boys, while Zulus, In an interview from Zimbabwe, financed by the French government, whose traditional homeland abuts Mr. Halperin added: “I have no which demonstrated a reduction of theirs, do not. AIDS is common in doubt that, as word of this gets 60 percent among circumcised men. around, millions of African men will members of both tribes. Two agencies, one under the want to get circumcised and that In recent years, as word has State Department and the other fi- will save many lives.” spread that circumcision might be nanced by a number of countries, protective, many African men have But experts also cautioned that said they now would be willing to sought it out. A Zambian hospital circumcision is no cure-all. It only pay for circumcisions, which they offered $3 circumcisions last year, lessens the chances that a man will have not before, citing a lack of hard and Swaziland trained 60 doctors to catch the virus, it is expensive com- evidence that it works. pared to condoms, abstinence or give them at $40 each after its wait- other methods, and the surgery has Dr. Richard G. A. Feachem, ex- ing lists grew. ecutive director of the Global Fund serious risks if performed by folk “Private practitioners also do it,” to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and healers using dirty blades, as often Dr. Halperin said. “In some places, Malaria, said that if a country seek- happens in rural Africa. it’s $20, in others, much more. Lots ing money submitted plans to con- of the wealthy elite have already Sex education messages to young duct safe, sterile circumcisions, “I done it. It prevents STD’s, it’s seen men need to make it clear that “this think it’s very likely that our techni- as cleaner, sex is better, women like does not mean that you have an ab- cal panel would approve it.” solute protection,” said Dr. Anthony it. I predict that a lot of men who S. Fauci, an AIDS researcher and Ambassador Mark Dybul, execu- can’t afford private clinics will start director of the National Institute of tive director of the $15 billion Presi- clamoring for it.”

Allergy and Infectious Diseases, dent’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company which sponsored the trials. Circum- Relief in the State Department, said 12 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007

Dad gets 10 years in first practice of genital mutilation, but The practice crosses ethnic and female circumcision trial many states do not have a law ad- cultural lines and is not tied to a in U.S. dressing it. Georgia lawmakers, particular religion. Activists say it with the support of the girl's is intended to deny women sexual November 1, 2006 mother, passed an anti-mutilation pleasure. In its most extreme form, LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia law last year. But Adem was not the clitoris and parts of the labia are (AP) -- An Ethiopian immigrant tried under that law since it did not removed and the labia that remain exist when his daughter was cut. was convicted Wednesday of the are stitched together. genital mutilation of his 2-year-old During the trial, Adem testified Since 2001, the State Depart- daughter and was sentenced to 10 he never circumcised his daughter ment estimates that up to 130 mil- years in prison in what was be- or asked anyone else to do so. He lion women worldwide have under- lieved to be the first such criminal said he grew up in , gone circumcision. case in the United States. the capital of , and consid- Knives, razors or even sharp Khalid Adem, 30, was found ers the practice more prevalent in stones are usually used, according guilty of aggravated battery and rural areas. to a 2001 department report. The cruelty to children. Prosecutors said Adem's attorney acknowledged tools are frequently not sterilized, he used scissors to remove his that the girl had been cut, but im- and often, many girls are circum- daughter's clitoris in his family's plied that the family of the girl's cised at the same ceremony, leading Atlanta-area apartment in 2001. The mother, who immigrated from to infection. child's mother, Fortunate Adem, South Africa , may have been re- said she did not discover it until sponsible. It is unknown how many girls more than a year later. have died from the procedure, ei- The Adems divorced three years ther during the cutting or from in- Adem, who had no criminal re- ago, and attorney Mark Hill sug- fections, or years later in childbirth. cord, could have been sentenced to gested that the couple's daughter Nightmares, depression, shock and up to 40 years in prison. He held his was coached to testify against her feelings of betrayal are common face in his hands and wept loudly father by her mother, who has full psychological side effects, accord- after the jury's verdict was read. custody of the child. ing to a 2001 federal report. During her father's trial, the girl, Adem, who cried throughout the now 7, clutched a teddy bear as she trial and during his testimony, was testified on videotape that her father asked what he thought of someone "cut me on my private part." who believes in the practice. He re-

Federal law specifically bans the plied: "The word I can say is 'mind in the gutter.' He is a moron."

Attendees at the Ninth International Symposium on Circumcision, Genital Integrity, and Human Rights Attorney and ARC collabrator David Wilton 13 Attorneys for the Rights of the Child Winter 2006-2007

'Clear and coherent' burg district court, was the first re- Sweden jails circumcision garding female genital mutilation The court determined that (FGM), as the practice is often father Hayow had forced his daughter to called, in a Scandinavian country. A Swedish court has jailed a So- undergo circumcision during a visit mali man for four years for forcing to Somalia in 2001. The Swedish law has prohibited his 13-year-old daughter to be cir- carrying out the procedure in Swe- "He decided that the girl should cumcised. den since 1982, and was altered in be circumcised, and together with 1999 to outlaw taking children another person kept firm hold of her Swedish citizen Ali Elmi abroad for the operation. Hayow, 41, held his daughter down while a circumciser performed the while the operation was carried out, operation," prosecutor Agnate Hen- FGM is banned in many African the court said, although he denied rikson said. countries, but is still widespread in the charges. some places. The court said the decision was based on medical examination and In some communities the contro- on the girl's testimony, which it de- versial practice is a female rite of scribed as "clear and coherent". passage and remains an important religious and cultural tradition. "Her version seems spontaneous and contains some details that lead It can result in infection and, in the court to believe that the events some cases, death. really occurred," the court said. Globally, an estimated 130 mil- Hayow was also convicted of lion women have under gone cir- travelling to Somalia with his cumcision, mainly in Africa, the daughter and son without consent Middle East and some Asian coun- It is the first conviction in Swe- from his ex-wife. tries, and some 3 million women den since the country banned the and girls are circumcised each year, He was ordered he pay his daugh- practice in 1982. according to the World Health Or- ter damages of 346,000 kronor (US ganization.

Female circumcision, common in $46,000; £26,000). parts of Africa, involves the partial http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5118376.stm or total removal of the external Cultural tradition genital organs. The case, heard at the Gothen-

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