Convicted paedophiles in Cyrpus could undergo chemical castration and skip their life sentences under a new bill.
According to the proposed regulations, child sex offenders can apply to be released early from prison if they agree to be sterilised, which would result in them having their sexual urges and fantasies eliminated.
The tough call, which was proposed by Cypriot MP Michalis Yiacoumi of the Democratic Alignment party to tackle a rise in child abuse cases, builds on the 2014 law that mandated life sentences for convicted paedophiles.
But as it stands, a child sex offender serving time behind abrs can apply for early release after sering 12 years.
The proposed bill would increase the mininum sentence to 18 years, with release conditional on chemical castration.
‘Parliamentary studies show that child rapists often re-offend. If life imprisonment is not imposed, this additional penalty is necessary to prevent further crimes and the devastation of another child’s life’, Yiacoumi said last month.
‘It’s unacceptable for them to serve such short sentences and be released without strict restrictions’.
Chemical castration is a medical treatment thta reduces someone’s libido by administering anti-andogen drugs.
The procedure is already used in 12 European countries, and is voluntary.
The process is thought to be most successful when done in conjunction with psychotherapy, however this option is not always considered.
While chemical castration is thought to reduce libido, it is controversial because it does not guarantee a convict will not reoffend and it can have long-term impacts on the person’s health.
The bill is yet to be approved in Cyrpus, and will be discussed in parliament at a later date.
But the proposal is expected to raise a range of complex issues, in particular around human rights.
The proposal comes months after Kazakhstan announced the mass chemical castration of 11 paedophiles amid a campaign for the worst offenders to have their genitals surgically removed.
All the men reportedly ‘committed crimes against the sexual inviolability of minors’ in the Kostanay region in the north of the country.
Details were not given of the cases, but the child sex offenders were starting to forcibly receive libido-sapping injections.
Approval was given for the paedophiles to be jabbed 24 times a year at an annual cost of £278 each.
Kazakhstan has some of the toughest laws in the world on paedophiles.
Official information is published on their addresses after release from prison so parents can understand where potential danger is lurking.
Yet there are claims that the laws are not sufficiently tough.