An Australian court has authorised the sterilisation of an 11-year-old Queensland girl who is severely intellectually disabled. The girl, who was identified only as “Angela”, has Rett Syndrome. She cannot speak or even use sign language. Ever since she was born she has had epilectic seizures which have been brought under control with medication. However heavy menstrual periods provoke the seizures.

In March 2009 doctors recommended that she have a hysterectomy, but the Queensland Health Department said a court order was needed because the procedure was irreversible. This week Family Court judge Paul Cronin found that the operation would be "in the child's best interests". In his judgement, he said, "Angela is never going to have the benefits of a normal teenage and adult life. A fundamental consideration is ... the risks to Angela's life as well as her general health."

But Dr Leanne Dowse, from the University of New South Wales, said the decision may have breached international human rights conventions.

"Australia became a signatory to the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities in July 2008," Dr Dowse told ABC Radio. "That convention says that individuals with a disability have a right to respect for his or her physical integrity. That sort of idea means that the first position is to protect an individual from these sorts of things." ~ Sydney Morning Herald, Mar 9