Moldovan court bans chemical castration of pedophiles
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 5 July 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Moldovan court bans chemical castration of pedophiles, 5 July 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/51e79b8b25.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 05, 2013
The law's supporters cited fears that Moldova was increasingly becoming a destination for sex tourism, including with underage victims.
CHISINAU – Moldova's constitutional court has banned the use of chemical castration to punish convicted pedophiles.
The court ruled that the procedure amounted to medical intervention against a person's will and therefore was a violation of basic human rights.
Deputies from Moldova's Liberal Party pushed the law through parliament last year.
It provided for chemical castration for Moldovans and foreigners convicted of sexual abuse of children under 15.
The proponents argued that Moldova had become a destination for international sex tourists.
Chemical castration does not involve surgery but consists of a man being injected with drugs aimed at blunting his sex drive for a period of time.
Since the law was passed, five people have been sentenced to chemical castration but the procedures were postponed in each of those cases pending a ruling on the constitutionality of the law.
Based on reporting by Reuters and RFE/RL's Moldovan Service
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
