ABSTRACT
This chapter conversely asserts that the international human rights framework affords children no such right, giving precedence to the rights of religious parents over the child's right to enjoy freedom from religion. It illustrates the lack of freedom from religion and belief by looking to the article 18(4) liberty of parents to ensure the "religious and moral education" of their children in conformity with their own convictions. Significant attention has been given to assertions of article 18(4) by parents against school authorities to stop proselytism through education. However, little consideration has been given to how this provision would apply where children resist the religious and moral education provided by their parents. Indeed, approaching circumcision as a violation of article 18 would simply result in an untenable number of abuses; parents would continue the practice and states would continue to allow it.
