It’s official

The circumcision act is in yesterday’s Bundesgesetzblatt (the federal official journal), which means it’s now in force and circumcision is again unambiguously legal in Germany. I guess there will be some unsuccessful court challenges, but basically it’s over. Here’s an English translation:

Act on the extent of the care for the person in the circumcision of a male child

Of December 20, 2012

The Bundestag has resolved on the following act:

Article 1

Amendment of the Civil Code [Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch]

After section 1631c of the civil code in the version of the promulgation of January 2, 2002 (BGBl I S. 42, 2909; 2003 I S. 738), which has last been amended by article 7 of the act of October  19, 2012 (BGBl. I S. 2182), the following section 1631d is inserted:

“Section 1631d

Circumscision of the male child.

(1) The care for the person [Basically the guardianship-G.] also encompasses the right to consent to a medically unnecessary circumcision of the male child incapable of insight and decision, if it is to be performed according to the rules of medical art. This doesn’t apply if the  circumcision endangers the child’s welfare even in view  of its purpose.

(2) In the first six months after the birth of the child  persons delegated for that purpose by a religious body too may perform circumcisions according to paragraph 1, if they are especially trained for that purpose and, without being physicians, are comparatively qualified for performing circumcisions.

Article 2

Entry into force

This act enters into  force on the day after its promulgation.

The constitutional rights of the Bundesrat are observed.

The preceding act is hereby certified. It is to be promulgated in the Bundesgesetzblatt.

Berlin, on December 20, 2012

THE FEDERAL PRESIDENT
JOACHIM GAUCK

THE FEDERAL CHANCELLOR
DR. ANGELA MERKEL

THE FEDERAL MINISTER OF JUSTICE
S. LEUTHEUSSER-SCHNARRENBERGER

THE FEDERAL MINISTER OF THE EXTERIOR
GUIDO WESTERWELLE

THE FEDERAL MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR
HANS-PETER FRIEDRICH

THE FEDERAL MINISTER OF FAMILIY, SENIORS, WOMAN AND JOUTH
KRISTINA SCHRÖDER

THE FEDERAL MINISTER OF HEALTH
DANIEL BAHR