Sex offenders convicted of multiple rapes could face chemical castration in Pakistan as lawmakers on Wednesday passed new anti-rape legislation that aims to ramp up the convictions and impose tougher sentences.
The new law comes after a significant increase in sexual assaults against women and children, reported the Daily Mail. A series of measures will be introduced, including the launch of a national sex offenders’ registry and the protection of victims’ identities.
The bill states that Pakistan’s government must establish special courts nationwide to expedite rape trials and ensure sexual abuse cases are decided “expeditiously, preferably within four months.”
Amnesty Intehrnational said the penalty of chemical castration was “cruel and inhuman” in a statement last December, when the bill was announced. “Forced chemical castrations would violate Pakistan’s international and constitutional obligations to prohibit torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” said Rimmel Mohydin, South Asia Campaigner of Amnesty International.
“Punishments like this will do nothing to fix a flawed criminal justice system,” Mohydin added. “Instead of trying to deflect attention, the authorities should focus on the crucial work of reforms that will address the root causes of sexual violence and give survivors the justice they deserve and the protection they need.”
Fewer than 3% of sexual assault or rape cases result in a conviction in Pakistan, Reuters reported last December, citing Karachi-based non-profit War Against Rape.
