Bill to outlaw female genital mutilation

Labour MP Chris Fearne has presented a private member's bill to outlaw female genital mutilation. Dr Fearne told a press conference this morning that there had been no such cases in Malta so far, but in view of the growing number of people of African origin in Malta, an existing legal vacuum should not be allowed to continue. The bill makes it illegal to perform female genital mutilation in Malta or to arrange for it to be performed abroad. The bill provides for liability for imprisonment of between three and seven years, rising further if the procedure causes death.