German committee says incest is a 'fundamental right'

A government-backed committee in Germany has recommended that the government abolish laws criminalizing incest between siblings, arguing that such bans impinge upon citizens' rights to sexual self-determination. According to findings from the German Ethics Council, that right is a "fundamental" one, and carries more weight than society's "abstract protection of the family." [...] "In the case of consensual incest among adult siblings, neither the fear of negative consequences for the family, nor the possibility of the birth of children from such incestuous relationships can justify a criminal prohibition."

source: Article < German committee says incest is a "fundamental right" > by Jenny Kutner; /www.salon.com/2014/09/26/german_committee_says_incest_is_a_fundamental_right/; Salon.com; 26 September 2014