Matthias W. Birkwald: Difference between revisions

'''{{FULLPAGENAME}}''' ({{LifeData|birth=1961-09-28|birthplace=Münster|birthcountry=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]]:

  |Text=This year marks the eighth anniversary of the announcement of the "[[Cologne circumcision court judgment|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.