Amnesty urges authorities to abolish castration law

Madagascar should abolish a new law which allows for the chemical and surgical castration of people convicted of raping minors as it was ‘cruel, inhuman and degrading’. That’s the view of Amnesty International which noted that President Andry Rajoelina last month proposed amendments to the penal code that include chemical and surgical castration as punishment for individuals found guilty of rape against minors. The Star reports that these changes have since been agreed by MPs. ‘Rape cases remain under-reported, and perpetrators often go free due to the victims and their families fear of retaliation, stigmatisation, and a lack of trust in the judicial system,’ said Amnesty regional director Tigere Chagutah.