Moldova will chemically castrate pedophiles to curb sex tourists
Source: Agencies |
March 7, 2012, Wednesday
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FOREIGNERS convicted of sexually abusing children in Moldova will face mandatory castration, according to new legislation introduced yesterday.
Parliament approved the new law by a majority, after lawmakers said the impoverished nation was attracting pedophiles from the West. It will become effective July 1.
The law states foreign and Moldovan nationals found guilty of pedophilia will be chemically castrated, while courts will rule separately on those found guilty of rape.
Valeriu Munteanu, a Liberal Party lawmaker, said the measure was needed after outrage over pedophile cases involving United States and West European nationals.
"The Republic of Moldova has been transformed in recent years into 'a tourist destination' for Western pedophiles, and there have been cases where rapists have repeatedly offended even after they served prison time," said Munteanu.
The measure has broad support in Moldova, one of Europe's poorest nations, where many believe that the country has an reputation as a top destination for sex tourists.
There have been nine convictions for child sex offenses in the country in the past two years - five of which were foreigners from Western Europe. Child sex offenders risk prison sentences of up to 20 years and in some cases life sentences.
Chemical castration involves the administration of testosterone-suppressing hormones every three months, which are intended to curb sexual drive and male fertility.
The new legislation follows similar developments in other countries, which have been moving ahead with laws allowing mandatory chemical castration for sex offenders.
The Czech republic has mandatory chemical castration for some offenders, a matter decided by the courts, and Poland legalized the procedure in 2009 for offenders who rape minors or close relatives.
Russian lawmakers in October gave first-round approval to a bill that would impose chemical castration on repeat sex offenders in apparent reaction to highly publicized pedophile scandals.
The Council for Europe last month called on Germany to do away with the practice, calling the procedure degrading.
Elsewhere, in Britain, Denmark and Sweden sex offenders are offered chemical castration drugs on a voluntary basis. In the US, several states allow chemical castration.
Parliament approved the new law by a majority, after lawmakers said the impoverished nation was attracting pedophiles from the West. It will become effective July 1.
The law states foreign and Moldovan nationals found guilty of pedophilia will be chemically castrated, while courts will rule separately on those found guilty of rape.
Valeriu Munteanu, a Liberal Party lawmaker, said the measure was needed after outrage over pedophile cases involving United States and West European nationals.
"The Republic of Moldova has been transformed in recent years into 'a tourist destination' for Western pedophiles, and there have been cases where rapists have repeatedly offended even after they served prison time," said Munteanu.
The measure has broad support in Moldova, one of Europe's poorest nations, where many believe that the country has an reputation as a top destination for sex tourists.
There have been nine convictions for child sex offenses in the country in the past two years - five of which were foreigners from Western Europe. Child sex offenders risk prison sentences of up to 20 years and in some cases life sentences.
Chemical castration involves the administration of testosterone-suppressing hormones every three months, which are intended to curb sexual drive and male fertility.
The new legislation follows similar developments in other countries, which have been moving ahead with laws allowing mandatory chemical castration for sex offenders.
The Czech republic has mandatory chemical castration for some offenders, a matter decided by the courts, and Poland legalized the procedure in 2009 for offenders who rape minors or close relatives.
Russian lawmakers in October gave first-round approval to a bill that would impose chemical castration on repeat sex offenders in apparent reaction to highly publicized pedophile scandals.
The Council for Europe last month called on Germany to do away with the practice, calling the procedure degrading.
Elsewhere, in Britain, Denmark and Sweden sex offenders are offered chemical castration drugs on a voluntary basis. In the US, several states allow chemical castration.
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