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→Application of the CRC to non-therapeutic circumcision of children
Article two provides in part:
<blockquote>
1. States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.<ref name="crc1989"/>
</blockquote>
This means that all children, male and female, and regardless of parental religious views, shall enjoy the same human rights.
2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.
</blockquote>
This means, with application to non-therapeutic circumcision, that the child, who is capable of expressing an opinion, shall have his views considered.<ref name="crc1989"/>
====Article fourteen====
2. States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.
3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. <ref name="crc1989"/>
</blockquote>
This means that a child may express his or her religious views, even though those views may differ from those of his or her parents. This includes views related to male or female circumcision.
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.
2. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement.<ref name="crc1989"/>
</blockquote>
Non-therapeutic male circumcision of male children have both been shown to cause great physical harm in the loss of the [[foreskin]] and its many protective, immunological, sexual, and sensory physiological [[Foreskin#Physiological_functions| functions]]. We now know that male circumcision causes [[Sexual effects of circumcision| sexual]], and [[Psychological issues of male circumcision| mental harm]] to its victims. Furthermore, the sexual and mental harm of non-therapeutic male circumcision is now well documented.
====Article twenty-four====
Article twenty-four has several paragraphs. Paragraph three is of special importance to male circumcision which is a traditional practice that dates back to before the advent of recorded history.<ref name="crc1989"/>
Paragraph three provides: