Legalisation of Female Circumcision in Sudan Sudanese Women's Rights Group Press Release 18 June 2002 Legalisation of Female Circumcision In Sudan SWRG is gravely concerned about the intention of the Government of Sudan to legalize female circumcision in Sudan. The information received by SWRG confirmed that on Wednesday 22 May 2002 a workshop was held in Khartoum, Sudan, organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowment in collaboration with the Female Student Centre in Omdurman Islamic University. The conference was predominantly attended by government officals and supporters of the Islamic Government in Sudan. The workshop was entitled: Towards the legalisation of Female Circumcision & Establishment of Training Centers for Operators (excisors). The workshop made the following recommendations: . legalisation of female circumcision (FC) . raise awareness about the importance of FC in the society . support the efforts of the Female Student Center of Omdurman Islamic University to establish centers all over the country for training practitioners (excisors) of FC. The information we received also confirmed that there is strong support among government officials to implement these recommendations. The consequences of Female Circumcision or Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are serious and well known. FC/FGM causes not only physical and mental health problems, but can lead to death as serious infections often occur: it is estimated that thousands of women and girls may have lost their lives as a result of FC/ FGM. In Sudan, recent statistics show that maternal mortality rate (MMR) is over 550 per 100,000 of normal child births, with one of the main causes of this high MMR being Female Genital Mutilation and its complications. The rights to life, physical integrity, and basic good health of women and children, are basic human rights of the all human beings, including the people of Sudan. As such, FGM contravenes articles in many international human rights instruments, including: . Article 2 of the UN Declaration of human rights . Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child . Article 21 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child . Article 1 of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women The Sudanese women rights group urges the Government of Sudan to prohibit all forms of Female Circumcision. SWRG condemns the practice of FC/ FGM and considers that it constitutes a human rights violation according to the above mentioned human rights instruments. SWRG considers that FC/FGM is an inhumane and cruel practice which damages the lives of women and girls and limits their human development. Recommended action : Appeals can be made to the persons listed below and should include the following: . Expression of concern over the recommendations made at the recent workshop . Statement that FGM/FC contravenes the prohibition the Universal Declaration of Human Rights/ Convention on the Rights of the Child and Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.(CEDAW) . Appeal to the Government of Sudan to adopt clear policies for the abolition of FGM/FC including legal, social, educational and health measures. . Appeal to the government of Sudan to make available improved social and health care for those already damaged by FGM/FC. The above recommendations should be sent in appeals to the following addresses: His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir President of the Republic of Sudan President' s Palace PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan Fax: + 24911 783223 Mr Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin Minister of Justice and Attorney General Ministry of Justice Khartoum, Sudan Fax: + 24911 788941 Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail Minister of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan Fax: + 24911 779383 Dr Ahmed al-Mufti Advisory Council for Human Rights PO Box 302 Khartoum, Sudan Sudan Fax: + 24911 770883 SWRG is an independent women's human rights organisation and registered charity based in the UK registration No 108217. If you have any questions about this press release, or would like any further information about SWRG, please contact:sudanesewomenrights@hotmail.com