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CEDAW66 > NGO Briefing on Intersex Genital Mutilations in Germany – Joint Statement by StopIGM.org and OII Germany

December 3, 2023February 20, 2017 by StopIGM.org

>>> VIDEO + TRANSCRIPT: UN-CEDAW Questions Germany over IGM Practices
>>> UN Press Release 20.02.2017: “Intersex Genital Mutilation in Germany”
>>> “Germany: The Practice of Intersex Genital Mutilation” – UN Press Release 21.02.2017

UN-CEDAW 66th Session, 20.02.2017: Intersex human rights defenders (l.t.r.) Ins A Kromminga (OII Germany),
Claudia Kasper (StopIGM.org), Daniela Truffer (StopIGM.org) after the NGO briefing. Photo: Markus Bauer.

At the 66th Session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Germany is to be reviewed on its track record of the implementation of women’s rights on Tue 21 February 2017. >>> Video + Intersex Transcript

Beforehand Intersex NGOs had a possibility to brief CEDAW.
>>> VIDEO: A rchived livecast of the entire NGO briefing

The 2-minutes StopIGM.org and OII Germany Joint oral statement (PDF) on IGM practices in Germany:

Claudia Kasper (StopIGM.org) (@12min):

“Thank you, Madame Chair.

I’m a German intersex person and an IGM survivor. As a child I had trouble sitting down because it hurt between my legs. As a teenager I was forced to take hormones, causing chronic inflammation of my genital and foul-smelling discharge.

I never had a sexual relationship. I never had access to my medical record.
I never had a chance to justice. Many of my peers have it even worse.

As shown in our reports [1], in Germany all forms of Intersex Genital Mutilation persist, paid for by the state, including selective abortion, prenatal therapy and denial of needed health care.

New studies [2] prove the number of genital surgeries and sterilising procedures did not decrease, with partial clitoris amputations most common on children under one year.

IGM in Germany has already been considered by CAT and CRPD as “ill-treatment”, urging the State party to “adopt legal provisions in order to provide redress to the victims”. [3]

Also this Committee [4] already considered IGM as a “harmful practice”, referring to the CEDAW-CRC Joint general recommendation 31.

For more than 20 years [5] all the government does is talk and talk. As intersex persons and IGM survivors we finally want to see actions, including on prohibition under criminal law, access to redress and justice, and abolition of statutes of limitations.

Thank you for listening.”

[1] StopIGM.org (for the session):
     http://intersex.shadowreport.org/public/2017-CEDAW-Germany-NGO-Zwischengeschlecht-Intersex-IGM.pdf
     OII Germany (for the session):
     http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CEDAW/Shared%20Documents/DEU/INT_CEDAW_NGO_DEU_26315_E.pdf
   StopIGM.org (for PSWG):
   http://intersex.shadowreport.org/public/2016-CEDAW-Germany-NGO-Zwischengeschlecht-Intersex-IGM.pdf
     StopIGM.org (oral statement PSWG):
     http://intersex.shadowreport.org/public/PSWG-CEDAW66-Germany-NGO-Statement-StopIGMorg-DTruffer.pdf
[2] Ulrike Klöppel: Zur Aktualität kosmetischer Operationen „uneindeutiger“ Genitalien im Kindesalter. ZtG Texte 42:
     https://www.gender.hu-berlin.de/de/publikationen/gender-bulletins/texte-42/kloeppel-2016_zur-aktualitaet-kosmetischer-genitaloperationen
     Anike Krämer (M.A.), Prof. Dr. Katja Sabisch, Dr. med. Jörg Woweries: Varianten der Geschlechtsentwicklung –
   die Vielfalt der Natur. Kinder- und Jugendarzt. 47. Jg. (2016) Nr. 5/16: http://www.vlsp.de/files/pdf/kraemer2016.pdf
[3] CAT/C/DEU/CO/5, para 20; CRPD/C/DEU/CO/1, paras 37-38.
[4] CEDAW/C/CHE/CO/4-5 paras 38-39; CEDAW/C/FRA/CO/7-8, paras 17e-f+18e-f;
     CEDAW/C/NLD/CO/6 paras 21-22, 23-24.
[5] StopIGM.org: NGO Report CRPD Germany 2015, p. 17-19: http://intersex.shadowreport.org/public/2015-CRPD-LoI-Germany_NGO-Report_Zwischengeschlecht_Intersex-IGM.pdf

UN-CEDAW 66th Session @ Palais des Nations, 20.02.2017: Intersex human rights defenders Ins A Kromminga
(OII Germany), Claudia Kasper (StopIGM.org), Daniela Truffer (StopIGM.org). Photo: Markus Bauer.

IGM Practices in Germany: StopIGM.org 2017 CEDAW Report
Human Rights Violations Of Children With Variations Of Sex Anatomy
IGM in Germany • Complicity of the State • Harmful Practice
>>> Download as PDF (519 kb)

IGM as a Harmful Practice: UN-CRC Briefing
• IGM: A Survivor’s Perspective • Intersex Movement History
• What are Variations of Sex Anatomy? • What are IGM Practices?
• IGM and Human Rights • Conclusion: IGM as a Harmful Practice
>>> Download PDF (3.14 MB) >>> Table of Contents

Eliminating IGM practices by holding the perpetrators accountable via well-established applicable human rights frameworks, including Inhuman Treatment and Harmful Practices – Presentation @ UN expert meeting on Intersex Human Rights in Geneva 26.–27.10.2015
>>> Download PDF (831kb)

“Intersex Genital Mutilation in Germany as a Harmful Treatment” – UN Press Release 20.02.2017

March 21, 2021February 20, 2017 by StopIGM.org

>>> UN Press Release: «Germany […] A representative of the Non-governmental Organization Coalition on behalf of StopIGM.org and OII Germany said that all forms of intersex genital mutilation persisted in Germany, supported by public funds. Several human rights treaty bodies considered intersex genital mutilation in Germany as a harmful treatment and urged Germany to prohibit the practice in the criminal law, ensure access to justice to survivors, and lift the statute of limitations.» >>> Full Joint Statement

>>> VIDEO + TRANSCRIPT: Germany Questioned over Intersex Genital Mutilations
>>> CEDAW66 > Joint NGO Briefing on Intersex Genital Mutilations in Germany

CEDAW66 > UN Press Release on Review of Ireland mentions “Intersex Genital Mutilation”

March 21, 2021February 18, 2017 by StopIGM.org

>>> The UN press release on the review of Ireland by the Committee on the Elimination of the Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) summarises the question on Intersex Genital Mutilations by CEDAW expert Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, as well as the embarrassing (non-)reply by Irish delegate Kieran Smyth (Department of Health):

« Questions by Experts

On stereotypes and harmful practices […]

Intersex genital mutilation was still practiced in Ireland, causing life-long pain and suffering. Ireland had been asked to prohibit that harmful practice, so what was the current status? What measures were being taken to eradicate female genital mutilation, including the adoption of a plan as proposed by civil society organizations? [….]

Replies by the Delegation

Responding to questions on stereotypes and harmful practices […] Every year, two to three intersex children were born, who were transferred to specialist hospitals for detailed assessment and support to the parents. Only medically necessary treatments, which might include surgery, were performed; any other surgeries were undertaken only with the full consensus of medical experts and the parents. […]»

>>> FULL TRANSCRIPT: Ireland questioned by CEDAW on IGM practices – Gov denies!
>>> CEDAW66 > NGO Briefing on Intersex Genital Mutilations in Ireland
>>> Communiqué de l’ONU > Mutilations Genitales Intersexes en Irlande

>>> “Harmful Practice”: UN-CRC Reprimands Ireland for Intersex Genital Mutilations

IGM Practices in Ireland: 2017 CEDAW Report
Human Rights Violations Of Children With Variations Of Sex Anatomy
IGM in Ireland • Complicity of the State • Harmful Practice
>>> Download as PDF (248 kb)

CEDAW66 > TRANSCRIPT: Ireland Questioned by UN over Intersex Genital Mutilations – Gov Denies – Again!

March 21, 2021February 18, 2017 by StopIGM.org

>>> CEDAW66 > NGO Briefing on Intersex Genital Mutilations in Ireland
>>> UN Press Release on Review of Ireland mentions “Intersex Genital Mutilation”
>>> Communiqué de l’ONU > Mutilations Genitales Intersexes en Irlande

UN-CEDAW 66th Session @ Palais des Nations 15.02.2017, 09:51h: Getting ready …

Today it’s the turn of Ireland to be questioned over Intersex Genital Mutilations at the 66th Session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on Wed 15 February 10-13h CET + 15-17h CET >>> archived webcast
StopIGM.org was reporting LIVE from Palais des Nations in Geneva, expecting tough questions, and yet another reprimand for IGM at the end of the session on 3 March.

Session 1: 10-13h

10:50h: YAY!! CEDAW Committee expert Ruth Halperin-Kaddari just asked a question on “IGM” under “harmful practices” (art. 5), calling “IGM … the practice of non consensual involuntary surgical and other treatment to “masculinise” or “feminise” intersex children” a “very disturbing phenomenon … still practiced in ireland … causing lifelong pain and suffering”, which “other UN bodies have recognised as harmful practices” and called Ireland “to eradicate”it. Unofficial Transcription:

«Another very disturbing phenomenon that comes from stereotypes and entrenched gender identities is the – what seems to be still ongoing in Ireland and – is the practice of IGM, namely the non-consensual or involuntary surgical or other medical intervention to quote unquote “masculinise” or “feminise” intersex children, so as to assign them to one specific sex, and it’s still practiced in Ireland as we understand causing lifelong pain and suffering for many children. It was recognised by other human rights treaty bodies as harmful practices and Ireland was called to eradicate this practice. Please inform us on any steps in that direction.

Another harmful practice which Ireland seems to be tackling rather well but still I have a question about that, is the FGM the Female Genital Mutilation […] »

12:08h: Irish delegate Kieran Smyth (Principal Officer, Department of Health, Research & Development and Health Analytics Division, Dublin) just “replied” to the question on IGM with the obligatory gov denial … rejecting the term IGM … claiming only 2-3 cases “with ambiguity” per year at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital … “only medically necessary surgery” would take place after “unanimous decision” by medical team and parents in the “best interest” of the child … Unofficial Transcription:

«I’d in fact like to turn to the issue of intersex more correctly used terminology rather than IGM. Intersex is a umbrella term to denote a number of different variations in bodily characteristics that do not match strict medical definitions of male or female.

Approximately 2 to 3 children per year are born in Ireland with ambiguous genitalia. These neonates are commonly referred to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, as it is the centre with a full range of specialists to assist with the diagnoses of the cause of the ambiguity. The hospital counsels parents and supports them in every way while the interdisciplinary team carries out a full assessment.

Only when all the facts are known does the hospital sit down with the family and work out what is the best interest now and into the future for the child. These meetings involve a senior paediatric endocrinologist, a senior paediatric urologist, the parents with the support from social worker and psychologist. Consent is taken as part of the consent protocols for the children’s hospitals and this would include a discussion of the risks and benefits of the proposed treatments and alternatives.

It is very important to emphasise that only medically necessary treatment which may include surgery will be performed. The decision for any medically necessary surgery to be performed will only be taken after a unanimous decision of the consultants and of the parents.

I’d now like to turn to the separate, entirely separate issue of Female Genital Mutilation […]»

>>> “Harmful Practice”: UN-CRC Reprimands Ireland for Intersex Genital Mutilations
>>> CEDAW66 > UN Press Release on Ireland mentions “Intersex Genital Mutilation”
>>> CEDAW66 > NGO Briefing on Intersex Genital Mutilations in Ireland
>>> CEDAW66 > Communiqué de l’ONU > Mutilations Genitales Intersexes en Irlande

Communiqué de l’ONU > Mutilations Genitales Intersexes en Irlande

March 21, 2021February 15, 2017 by StopIGM.org

UN-CEDAW 66ième Session @ Palais des Nations, 13.02.2017: Daniela Truffer avant l’audition des ONG.

>>> Communiqué de presse de l’ONU du 13.02.2017:

« Le Comité pour l’élimination de la discrimination à l’égard des femmes auditionne la société civile sur la situation dans quatre pays

[…] StopIGM a considéré que les mutilations génitales étaient pratiquées régulièrement en Irlande, notamment à l’encontre des personnes intersexuées. »

>>> NGO Briefing on Intersex Genital Mutilations in Ireland (13.02.2017)

CEDAW66 > NGO Briefing on Intersex Genital Mutilations in Ireland

March 21, 2021February 15, 2017 by StopIGM.org

UN-CEDAW 66th Session @ Palais des Nations, 13.02.2017: Committee experts arriving for the NGO meeting …

At the 66th Session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Ireland is to be reviewed on its track record of the implementation of women’s rights on Wed 15 February 2017. Beforehand NGOs had the possibility to brief CEDAW (>>> archived livecast of the entire briefing).

The 1-minute oral statement (PDF) on IGM practices in Ireland:

Daniela Truffer (StopIGM.org) (@ 30:27):

“Thank you, Madame Chair.

Intersex Genital Mutilations in Ireland have already been considered by CRC [1] as a “harmful practice”. Personal stories from Ireland prove that IGM causes lifelong severe pain and suffering.

As substantiated in our report [2], in Ireland all forms of IGM practices persist, advocated and paid for by the public Health Service Executive (HSE), and perpetrated in public university and children’s hospitals with impunity, including partial clitoris amputation, “vaginoplasty” and sterilising procedures.

To this day, there is no law in Ireland to protect intersex children from IGM. The Irish Government simply denies this is a human rights issue, but claims, and I quote, “these decisions are taken on a medical basis”. [3]

This Committee [4] has already considered IGM as a “harmful practice”, referring to the Joint General Recommendation 31. This we’re also asking for Ireland.

Thank you.”

[1] CRC/C/IRL/CO/3-4, paras 39-40
[2] http://intersex.shadowreport.org/public/2017-CEDAW-Ireland-NGO-Zwischengeschlecht-Intersex-IGM.pdf
[3] CRC 71st Session, 14 January 2016, see transcription: https://www.stopigm.org/post/Geneva-Ireland-Questioned-over-Intersex-Genital-Mutilations-by-UN-Committee-on-the-Rights-of-the-Child
[4] CEDAW/C/CHE/CO/4-5 paras 38-39; CEDAW/C/FRA/CO/7-8, paras 17e-f+18e-f; CEDAW/C/NLD/CO/6 paras 21-22, 23-24

Intersex Protests London 24-28 March, UN and more

March 21, 2021February 11, 2017 by StopIGM.org

Intersex NGO Reports by StopIGM.org for the 66th Session of the UN Women’s Rights Committee (CEDAW) + CAT60

Newsletter 1/2017 by StopIGM.org, 12 February 2017:

1. Intersex Protests London 24-28 March
2. UN-CEDAW to investigate IGM in Ireland, Germany 13-21 Feb
3. BanFGM Conference condemns IGM
4. UN-CRC to investigate IGM in Denmark
5. UN-CAT to investigate IGM in New Zealand, Luxemburg
6. Intersex Protests Copenhagen 29 June – 1 July

Dear friends of the Intersex Movement

1. Intersex Protests London 24-28 March

SAVE THE DATE: 24-28 March the “European Association of Urology (EAU)” and 13 more international urology bodies will gather in London for the “32nd EAU2017 Annual Congress”, where IGM perpetrators from around the globe will advocate various forms of Intersex Genital Mutilations, and present the “EAU Hans Marberger Award 2017” in honour of the infamous Austrian amputator of “enlarged clitorises”. StopIGM.org will organise non-violent protests against the “EAU2017” and local IGM perpetrators and enablers.

2. UN-CEDAW to investigate IGM in Ireland, Germany 13-21 Feb

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) will investigate IGM practices in Ireland and Germany during its 66th session in Geneva. StopIGM.org submitted thematic NGO reports, substantiating the ongoing practice in both countries despite government denials. The reviews of Ireland (Wed 15 Feb from 10:00h CET) and Germany (Tue 21 Feb from 10:00h CET) and other public hearings will be transmitted live. For more info, see intersex.shadowreport.org. We are expecting CEDAW to sternly reprimand both countries for harmful practices against intersex children at the end of the 66th session (3 March).

3. BanFGM Conference condemns IGM

StopIGM.org’s Daniela Truffer was invited to the international BanFGM Conference organised by No Peace without Justice (NPWJ) and the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC) in Rome 30 Jan – 1 Feb to talk on “Combatting Intersex Genital Mutilation”. The presentation was very well received, and as a result the Final Declaration of the Conference co-signed by African and Italian Ministers and international human rights representatives explicitly mentioned “intersex genital mutilations”. For more info, see StopIGM.org.

4. UN-CRC to investigate IGM in Denmark

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) drafted questions for Denmark during its 76th Pre-Sessional Working Group (6 – 10 Feb). StopIGM.org submitted a thematic NGO report substantiating the ongoing practice in Denmark despite government pinkwashing, and is expecting tough questions on IGM practices for Denmark to be published soon. For more infos see intersex.shadowreport.org.

5. UN-CAT to investigate IGM in New Zealand, Luxemburg

During its 60th session (17 April – 12 May) the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) will draft questions for New Zealand and Luxemburg. StopIGM.org submitted reports substantiating the practice in both countries to be published at a later date, and is expecting tough questions on IGM for both states.

6. Intersex Protests Copenhagen 29 June – 1 July

SAVE THE DATE: 29 June – 1 July “I-DSD” in collaboration with “DSDnet” will organise the “6th International DSD Symposium” at the well-know IGM perpetrator clinic “Rigshospitalet (University of Copenhagen)”. StopIGM.org will organise non-violent protests.

The international intersex human rights NGO StopIGM.org demands the prohibition of forced genital surgeries on children and adolescents with Variations of Sex Anatomy and “Human Rights for Hermaphrodites too!”

Persons concerned shall later decide themselves, if they want surgeries or not, and if yes, which.

Kind regards

Daniela “Nella” Truffer, Markus Bauer
Founding members human rights NGO Zwischengeschlecht.org / StopIGM.org

Mobile +41 (0) 76 398 06 50
Mobile +41 (0) 78 829 12 60

presse_at_zwischengeschlecht.info

http://StopIGM.org

Intersex Genital Mutilations • 17 Most Common Forms
Human Rights Violations Of Children With Variations Of Sex Anatomy
IGM – Historical Overview • What is Intersex? • How Common are IGMs?
>>> Download PDF (3.65 MB) >>> Table of Contents

«Intersex activist urges ban on “genital mutilation” on children» – Reuters 31.01.2017

June 21, 2024February 4, 2017 by StopIGM.org

Intersex activist Daniela Truffer at the BanFGM conference in Rome, Italy, January 31, 2017. Photo: Emma Batha

“She told the BanFGM conference in Rome that there were parallels between IGM and FGM […].”

>>> Press agency report by Emma Batha for the Thomson Reuters Foundation republished around the world on occasion of StopIGM.org’s Daniela Truffer presenting on “Combatting intersex genital mutilation” during Session IV, which also covered medicalisation of FGM (>>> Programme PDF p. 5–6) at the international BanFGM Conference in Rome, called for by the Dakar Ministerial Sub-regional Consultation and organised by No Peace Without Justice and the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children, in partnership with the African Women’s Forum, the Crans Montana Forum, Women Empower the World, AMREF Health Africa and Sénégambie.

As a result, the Final Declaration adopted by the BanFGM conference also mentions “intersex genital mutilations”.

A heartfelt thank-you to everybody who made this possible!

La “Tribune de Genève” sur les Mutilations Génitales Intersexes et l’Académie Suisse des Sciences Médicales (ASSM)

March 21, 2021February 3, 2017 by StopIGM.org

>>> Article de Caroline Zuercher dans la “Tribune de Genève” sur la “Prise de position de la Commission Centrale d’Éthique de l’ASSM [Académie Suisse des Sciences Médicales] concernant les «variations du développement sexuel»” évasive
(>>> PDF), avec des déclarations claires de Daniela Truffer et Markus Bauer (StopIGM.org), entre autres sur la nécéssité d’une prohibition legale y compris un délai de prescription étendu pour prévenir les Mutilations Génitales Intersexes. Merci!

Committee against Torture investigates IGM in U.S. and Australia

December 3, 2023December 20, 2016 by StopIGM.org

YAY!! The UN-Committee against Torture (CAT) started an investigation of Intersex Genital Mutilations (IGM) in both the USA and Australia under Art. 16 of the Convention (“inhuman treatment” falling under the prohibition of torture). The Committee has formally asked the U.S. and Australia to provide statistics on IGM and to “indicate which criminal or civil remedies are available for people who have undergone involuntary sterilisation or unnecessary and irreversible medical or surgical treatment”.

Both State parties have now to explain themselves to the Committee in written reports due in 2017. Thereafter the Committee will review both states in Geneva. Considering that both the U.S. and Australia are major IGM perpetrators allowing and directly funding the mutilations, intersex advocates are again expecting stern reprimands for both states (see 20 UN Reprimands for IGM).

The Committee is acting on NGO reports submitted by intersex advocacy organisations InterACT and OII Australia substantiating the ongoing practice in both countries.

StopIGM.org congratulates both InterACT and OII Australia and says thank you!

To be continued …

Below links to the NGO reports + the full questions by the Committee on Intersex and IGM within their “List of Issues” to both states:

Intersex Genital Mutilations in the USA:

2016 UN-CAT NGO Report by InterACT

>>> Download as PDF (282 kb)

List of Issues USA
• CAT/C/USA/QPR/6 (DOCX) –> para 45 (p. 11)

45. Please comment on the reports of premature surgery and other medical treatment to which intersex children would be subjected (see, Inter-ACT -Advocates for Intersex Youth, Submission to the UN Committee against Torture, 2016). Please, indicate the number of intersex children who have undergone sex assignment surgery during the reporting period.

Intersex Genital Mutilations in Australia:

2016 UN-CAT NGO Report by OII Australia

>>> Download as PDF (265 kb)

List of Issues Australia
• CAT/C/AUS/QPR/6 (PDF) –> para 24 (p. 8)

24. In the light of the Committee’s concluding observations (para. 20), please provide information on the efforts made towards prohibiting the use of sterilisation without the prior, free and informed consent of the person concerned in all Australian jurisdictions. Please also clarify whether non-urgent and irreversible medical or surgical treatment aimed at determining the sex of a child is permitted and performed on children and how does the State party guarantee that full, free and informed consent of the persons concerned is ensured. In this regard, please indicate what action has been taken by the State party to implement the recommendations of a 2013 Senate Community Affairs References Committee report on the involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia. In addition, please indicate which criminal or civil remedies are available for people who have undergone involuntary sterilisation or unnecessary and irreversible medical or surgical treatment aimed at determining their sex when they were children and whether these remedies are subject to any statute of limitations.