G e n i t a l  C u t t i n g  Customs

Which child
is being
tortured?
These Aboriginal boys? or this Egyptian girl?

Which child
is being
mutilated?

This Turkish boy? or this Somali girl?

Which child
is being
deprived of
sexual
wholeness?
This Filipino boy? or this Sudanese girl?

Which child
is having their
human rights
violated?
This American boy? or this Nigerian girl?

Which child deserves to be protected?

13 million of these boys each year? 2 million of these girls each year?
Bodily Integrity for Both
“State parties shall take all effective and appropriate measures
with a view to abolishing traditional practices
prejudicial to the health of children.”
Article 24.3 - Convention on the Rights of the Child

“No child shall be subjected to torture

or to other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment…”
Article 37 - Convention on the Rights of the Child

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
Article 1 - Universal Declaration of Human Rights

“Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth

in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race,
colour, sex, language, religion…”
Article 2 - Universal Declaration of Human Rights

“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”

Article 3 - Universal Declaration of Human Rights

“All children…shall enjoy the same social protection.”

Article 25.2 - Universal Declaration of Human Rights

“Amnesty International’s mandate includes the promotion of awareness

and adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and other internationally recognized human rights instruments…
as well as the indivisibility and interdependence
of all human rights and freedoms.”

“Amnesty International’s mandate includes opposing grave violations

of the rights of all persons to be free from discrimination
on the grounds of their ethnic origin and sex
and of the right of all persons to physical and mental integrity.”
Decision 6 of the 22nd ICM (1995), referring to Article 1 of the Statute of Amnesty International

www.mgmbill.org/ai.htm
Leaflet concept, design, and production: © 1999, Tim Hammond, San Francisco member, Amnesty International Children’s Rights Network
Updated by MGMbill.org in 2006