The Judicial Affairs and Education Committee will propose parliament dismiss the controversial bill proposing to ban circumcision of young boys, Vísir reports. The bill was introduced by a group of MPs led by Silja Dögg Gunnarsdóttir and has sparked debate around the globe.
The bill was introduced in parliament in late January. Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament, has since received 133 responses to the proposal, both for and against the bill. It was sent to the Judicial Affairs and Education Committee for consideration on 1 March, and has been stuck there since. Parliament is set to recess for summer in just a few days.
Silja Dögg has stated the purpose of the bill is to protect the interests of children. Around 600 Icelandic nurses and midwives, as well as 400 doctors, signed letters in support of the bill.
Religious leaders around Europe have opposed the bill, citing religious discrimination. Bishop of Iceland Agnes M. Sigurðardóttir has criticised the bill for potentially criminalising religious practices of Judaism and Islam in Iceland.
Silja Dögg has expressed hope to see the bill examined further in the relevant ministries.
