Angela Merkel backs circumcision right after ruling
13th July 2012
The German government says Jewish and Muslim communities should be able to continue the practice of circumcision, after a regional court ruled it amounted to bodily harm.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said it was a case of protecting religious freedom.
Steffen Seibert said: "Circumcision carried out in a responsible manner must be possible without punishment."
"For everyone in the government it is absolutely clear that we want to have Jewish and Muslim religious life in Germany."
He said the government would look urgently at establishing "legal certainty".
"It is clear this cannot be put on the back burner. Freedom to practise religion is a cherished legal principle," Mr Seibert said.
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Angela Merkel backs circumcision right after ruling
13th July 2012
The German government says Jewish and Muslim communities should be able to continue the practice of circumcision, after a regional court ruled it amounted to bodily harm.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said it was a case of protecting religious freedom.
Steffen Seibert said: "Circumcision carried out in a responsible manner must be possible without punishment."
"For everyone in the government it is absolutely clear that we want to have Jewish and Muslim religious life in Germany."
He said the government would look urgently at establishing "legal certainty".
"It is clear this cannot be put on the back burner. Freedom to practise religion is a cherished legal principle," Mr Seibert said.
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