Matthias W. Birkwald

Matthias W. Birkwald (2014)

Matthias W. Birkwald (born 28 September 1961 in Münster, Germany) is a German Die Linke politician, since October 2009 member of the German Bundestag and since November 2014 Parliamentary manager of his parliamentary group in the German Bundestag.

In 2020 he spoke in a video message on WWDOGA:

“

This year marks the eighth anniversary of the announcement of the "Cologne judgment" by the Cologne Regional Court. This also granted boys the right to genital self-determination in 2012 by describing a medically non-indicated foreskin removal, ie the "circumcision" of a male infant or toddler as what it is: a punishable bodily harm. In the meantime, [7th] May has become a symbol of self-determination rights for every child worldwide, regardless of gender, origin, religion and tradition. I agree with the demands of the day: Articles 2 (protection against discrimination), 3 (priority of the best interests of the child) and 24 (abolition of harmful customs) of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must be observed and implemented. We need legislative initiatives around the world to protect all children, regardless of gender, from non-therapeutic genital surgery. Children with atypical physical gender characteristics have to be protected against medically unnecessary genital operations and further interventions. We need an immediate stop to the mass circumcision of boys, too, as part of the alleged HIV prevention in African countries. Public research and education on the consequences of non-therapeutic genital surgery on children in their various forms and social contexts is urgently needed. I am concerned with the well-being, physical integrity and the right of the child to self-determination - no matter what gender it is. – Matthias W. Birkwald (WWDOGA 2020)