Ethics v. culture

I have no idea what the argument for this "barbaric" practice is but I'm sure there is one, it's been around for so many centuries. When does one culture have the "moral right" to overrule the practices of another? A complex question.

clipped from www.cnn.com Concern grows in Britain over female genital mutilation LONDON, England (AP) -- Female genital mutilation, commonly associated with parts of Africa and the Middle East, is becoming a growing problem in Britain despite authorities' efforts to stamp it out. The Metropolitan Police, Britain's largest police force, hopes a campaign beginning Wednesday will highlight that the practice is a crime here. To make their point, police are offering a 20,000-pound (euro29,500; US$40,000) reward for information leading to Britain's first prosecution for female genital mutilation, Detective Chief Superintendent Alastair Jeffrey said.