South African Police Rescue 11 Teenage Boys from Forced Circumcision

The teenagers were taken from the streets and their parents went to the police to open a case for kidnapping. Police found the boys and arrested three suspects.

African teenage boys from some ethnic groups often spend time in secluded bush or mountain regions as part of their initiation to manhood, which includes circumcision and lessons in courage and discipline. Scores of boys and young men have their penises amputated each year after botched circumcisions during the rite-of-passage ceremonies. South African police have rescued 11 teenage boys from forced circumcision after parents reported that the young boys had been taken away for the traditional but often dangerous ritual.

Mack Mngomezulu, police spokesman in Daveyton east of Johannesburg, said, "There were 11 boys who were taken for initiation. They were taken from the streets and their parents went to open a case for kidnapping. Their ages were between 13 and 16. They were soon found since parents came to police quickly." The officers said that the boys had not yet been circumcised. They have also arrested three suspects.

WHO Approves Chinese Circumcision Device 'ShangRing', Plans to Use It to Tackle HIV
The inner and outer rings of this device fit around the foreskin in such a manner that there is minimum blood loss when the skin is cut off.

These annual ceremonies start around late May every year, with deaths reported each year due to infection, exhaustion and dehydration. Statistics by a government commission revealed that 486 boys died on initiation courses between 2008 and 2014.

Source-AFP

Less Adverse Events Associated With Male Circumcision
Bottom Line: During the first year of life, a low rate of adverse events (AEs) was associated with male circumcision (MC), but the risk was 10 to 20 times higher when boys were circumcised after infancy.

Merkel Aims to Ease Jewish Ire Amid Circumcision Row
A disputed ruling against circumcision was clarified by Angela Merkel on Sunday as she became the first chancellor to address the Jewish community's annual council meeting in Germany.

Researchers Find Link Between Ritual Circumcision Procedure and Herpes Infection in Infants
A rare procedure performed during Jewish circumcisions that involves direct oral suction is a likely source of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) transmissions documented in infants between 1988 and 2012.