FGM: UK's first female genital mutilation prosecutions announced

The first UK prosecutions over female genital mutilation have been announced by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Dr Dhanoun Dharmasena will be prosecuted for an alleged offence while working at the Whittington Hospital in London in November 2012.

Hasan Mohamed will face a charge of intentionally encouraging an offence of female genital mutilation.

Dr Dharmasena and Mr Mohamed will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 15 April.

In a statement, Director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders said the CPS was asked by the Metropolitan Police to consider evidence in relation to an allegation of female genital mutilation (FGM).

It was alleged that following a patient giving birth in November 2012, a doctor at the Whittington Hospital repaired female genital mutilation that had previously been performed on the woman, allegedly carrying out female genital mutilation himself.

Ms Saunders said: "Having carefully considered all the available evidence, I have determined there is sufficient evidence and it would be in the public interest to prosecute Dr Dhanoun Dharmasena for an offence contrary to S1 (1) of the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003).

"I have also determined that Hasan Mohamed should face one charge of intentionally encouraging an offence of FGM, contrary to section 44(1) of the Serious Crime Act (2007), and a second charge of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring Dr Dharmasena to commit an offence contrary to S1 (1) of the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003).

"These decisions were taken in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors."

The CPS has decided to take no further action in one other new case and in three cases that were under review having been considered previously.

The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 replaced a 1985 Act, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, raising the maximum penalty from five to 14 years in prison.

It also made it an offence for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to carry out FGM abroad even in countries where it is legal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26681364

Doesn't sound like a very British thing to do - chopping up little girls   

Wow!


ONE prosecution!!!



Female genital mutilation: London hospitals treat 4,000 patients
Nearly 4,000 women and girls have been treated for female genital mutilation (FGM) in London's hospitals since 2009, according to new figures.
The data was obtained through Freedom of Information requests to NHS Trusts by BBC London 94.9.
Forty-one hospital trusts were contacted by the BBC with most supplying figures. Six said they did not currently record figures on FGM, while four did not respond.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-26653884



How about all these cases too?
Plus the other thousands before 2009?

it's about time but the fact this has been going on for so long and we finally have a conviction shows it is not taken very seriously..

If they leave the country and do it on holiday they still wouldn't get prosecuted..

Is this another foreign tradition, like the killing one?

BigAndy9 wrote:Is this another foreign tradition, like the killing one?

yes, perhaps we are to tolerant in this country...