Madagascar: Madagascar’s Parliament has taken a significant step in combatting child sexual abuse by passing a law allowing chemical and, in certain instances, surgical castration for individuals convicted of raping minors.
The legislation, passed on February 2, received approval from the Senate, the upper house, last week. The final step in enacting the law involves validation by the High Constitutional Court, followed by the signature of President Andry Rajoelina.
Justice Minister Landy Mbolatiana Randriamanantenasoa emphasized the necessity of the law in response to the alarming increase in child rape cases. According to a report from The Associated Press, there were 600 reported incidents of child rape in 2023, with 133 occurring as recently as January of this year.
Under the new law, surgical castration will be mandated for perpetrators convicted of raping children under the age of 10. Cases involving children aged 10 to 13 will be punished by either surgical or chemical castration, while chemical castration will be the punishment for the rape of minors aged 14 to 17.
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