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Madagascar proposes controversial bill for castration of child rapists amidst debate
The justice minister of Madagascar stands firm in defense of a contentious bill that allows for the castration of child rapists.
Despite facing opposition from Amnesty International, which deems the measure “cruel, inhuman, and degrading,” the Senate in Madagascar has approved the bill, endorsing both chemical and surgical castration.
Justice Minister Landy Mbolatiana Randriamanantenasoa asserts that the country has the right to amend its laws to combat the rising incidents of rape, citing 600 recorded cases of minors being raped last year.
The newly approved bill introduces stringent penalties, replacing the previous minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for child rape. Under the proposed legislation, surgical castration is prescribed for perpetrators of rape on children under 10, with the option for chemical or surgical castration for those assaulting children aged 10-13.
Additionally, chemical castration is recommended for individuals who assault minors aged 13-18.
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While awaiting validation by the High Constitutional Court before President Andry Rajoelina can sign it into law, Amnesty International raises concerns, citing human rights standards and constitutional provisions against torture.
The organisation emphasizes the under-reporting of rape cases and lack of trust in Madagascar’s judicial system, asserting that the focus should be on supporting and protecting the victims.
Amnesty International underscores worries about irreversible harm caused by castration and the potential for wrongful convictions.
Despite Amnesty International’s opposition, local voices, such as Jessica Lolonirina Nivoseheno from the Women Break the Silence movement, argue that castration could serve as a deterrent to the prevailing rape culture in Madagascar, where many cases go unresolved without legal intervention.
The ongoing debate surrounding the bill reflects conflicting perspectives on its potential impact on addressing child rape in Madagascar.
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