Legislation on Female Genital Mutilation in the Netherlands

With the arrival of migrants and asylum seekers female genital mutilation has spread all over the World. These immigrants have brought their culture and habits along, and interpreted this in other cultures. As result of these immigrations the Netherlands was introduced to female genital mutilation. All forms of female genital mutilation are prohibited in the Netherlands since 1993. These practices are defined as abuse in the Dutch Penal Code. The punishment for extreme premeditated abuse is four years of detention. When FGM is performed by a parent, the punishment can be increased with a third of the original punishment. Even when the parents give order for the procedure they are punishable. Female genital mutilation is a human rights violation. According to many treaties FGM is considered intolerable. Since 2003 it is possible in the Netherlands to appeal asylum, if there is a threat of FGM. Since 2006 it is illegal and punishable to perform FGM on a female Dutch resident anywhere in the world.

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