More protection for children with variations in sexual characteristics
Published: Monday, Dec 18th 2023, 16:20
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Children born in Switzerland with a variation of sex characteristics should no longer have to undergo unnecessary or harmful interventions. On Monday, the Council of States tacitly adopted a motion by its Legal Affairs Committee (RK-S).
Specifically, according to the motion, the Federal Council must ensure that the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences can quickly draw up medical-ethical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of such children. Organizations of those affected must be involved in this work.
Matthias Michel (FDP/ZG) said that those affected should have the opportunity to decide on the procedure themselves. Despite provisions in the Criminal Code, children were being treated unnecessarily after their ambiguous sexual characteristics had been "pathologized". Correction without the consent of those affected is rarely necessary.
The Federal Council declared itself in agreement with the path taken by the RK-S. It wrote that this goal could not be achieved with criminal law bans, but rather by guaranteeing competent and specialized treatment.
The motion goes to the National Council.
©Keystone/SDA
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