The law that allows the castration of rapists in Madagascar was complained about by rights groups
Madagascar's parliament has passed a law that allows for chemical castration and in some cases surgical castration of people found guilty of raping minors.
However, the law has been criticized by international rights groups but also supported by activists who say it is an effective measure to prevent what is described as the "rape culture" that has spread in the country. Madagascar's parliament of 28 million people passed the law on February 2 and the Senate, the upper house, approved it last week. The law now needs to be approved by the Supreme Constitutional Court and signed into law by President Andry Rajoelina, who spoke about the issue for the first time in December, along with his government proposing changes to the rape law. Minister of Justice Landy Mbolatiana Randriamanantenasoa has said that castrating rapists is a necessary step because of the increase in child rape cases. According to the minister, in 2023, 600 cases of child rape were recorded, and that 133 have already been reported in January alone this year. "Madagascar is a free country that has the right to amend its laws in relation to the environment and general interests of the people," said Randriamanantenasoa and added that the current penal law is not enough to control the criminals of these crimes. According to the law, surgical castration will be implemented for those found guilty of raping a child under the age of 10. Cases of child rape between the ages of 10 and 13 will be punished by surgery or chemical castration. Rape of children between the ages of 14 and 17 will be punished by chemical castration. Offenders may face severe penalties of up to life imprisonment as well as castration. Chemical castration is done using pills. Several countries and some US states - including California and Florida - allow criminals to undergo chemical castration for some sex offenses. The United Nations Children's Fund and other organizations have repeatedly highlighted the high levels of sexual abuse against children in Madagascar. Some non-governmental organizations say the actual number of child rapes is higher than official figures, but many cases go unreported because it is a taboo subject and victims are often ashamed.../
