Senator Bacik to Introduce Bill Criminalising Female Genital Mutilation

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK

Labour Party Seanad Spokesperson on Justice
Monday, 19 April 2010

BACIK TO INTRODUCE BILL CRIMINALISING FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

Senator Ivana Bacik will be introducing a Bill to prohibit female genital mutilation in the Seanad during the Labour Party's private members' time on Wednesday 21st April.

“Female genital mutilation (FGM) is practised in some Middle Eastern countries and in Africa. Although sometimes referred to as ‘female circumcision', it is far more drastic and damaging than male circumcision. It can involve different forms of mutilation, and beyond the obvious initial pain that it causes, it has long term physiological, sexual and psychological effects upon girls and women. It can cause death and has serious and permanent health implications.

“FGM is considered to be a violation of women's human rights in international law. If practised in Ireland, it would constitute assault under existing criminal law. However other countries including the UK have passed legislation specifically criminalising FGM, because there are concerns that the ‘consent' defence to the crime of assault might prevent a successful prosecution.

“The Women's Health Council and a whole range of NGOs working in Ireland have already recommended legislation to ban FGM, as has been passed in the UK. In the Dáil, Liz McManus TD introduced a bill to prohibit FGM in 2001,and last year Jan O'Sullivan TD also published similar legislation, but there has never been a debate on the need for this important piece of legislation specifically criminalising a barbaric practice which has destroyed the lives of so many girls and women world-wide.”

ENDS.