LONDON’S Green Euro-MP Jean Lambert has welcomed a decision by the UN Human Rights Committee to condemn female genital mutilation (FGM).

The resolution, adopted by consensus by the UN general assembly’s human rights committee this week, calls the widespread practice harmful and a serious threat to the psychological, sexual and reproductive health of women and girls.

It calls on the UN’s 193 member states to enact and enforce legislation to prohibit FGM, to protect women and girls “from this form of violence”, to end impunity for violators – and to launch educational campaigns for girls and boys, women and men, to eliminate it.

FGM is a centuries-old practice used to control women’s sexuality in some religions, although both Muslim and Christian leaders have spoken out against it.

Ms Lambert, a member of the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee, said: “When a woman is at risk of forced female genital mutilation, she faces a serious threat to her physical health and mental well-being. Many women never fully recover from this often violent act, frequently performed against their will.

“I am delighted the UN Human Rights Committee has taken this step towards a worldwide ban on this fundamental violation of the human rights of women and girls.”