(No caption)
The controversial practice in the U.S. involving female genital mutilation just got more controversial.
Federal Judge Bernard Friedman
(University of Michigan photo)
U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman of Detroit rules that the federal law forbiding the practice is unconstitutional, and dismissed key charges against two Michigan doctors and six others accused of subjecting at least nine minor girls to the cutting procedure, Tresa Baldas of the Detroit Free Press reports.
The historic case, the first of its kind in America, involves minors from Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. Some cried, screamed and bled during the procedure and onewas given Valium to calm her, court records show.
"Having reviewed with the greatest possible deference, the court concludes that it is unconstitutional," Friedman wrote Tuesday. "Congress had no authority to pass this statute under either the Necessary and Proper Clause or the Commerce Clause."
The ruling is a big blow to the government.
