Viasna criticizes proposal for chemical castration of pedophiles

June 20, BPN. A Belarusian human rights group has criticized the authorities’ plan to chemically castrate those convicted of pedophilia as a step towards cruel and degrading treatment.

Chemical castration is a “savage form of punishment,” Viasna’s lawyer said in a statement to BPN. Suspects can be tortured into signing confessions and suffer a miscarriage of justice, he said.

Pedophilia could be fought with psychiatric measures, while forced chemical treatment would only make society more cruel, he said.

He also pointed out a lack of public discussion of the plan.

The interior ministry said more than 1,000 crimes against the sexual integrity of children were documented in 2022.

The Prosecutor General’s Office announced a bill that would authorize chemical castration of pedophiles 10 days ago.