Kazakhstan will surgically remove the genitals of the worst pedophiles under a new bill.
It follows complaints from MPs that the current system of chemical castration – one of the toughest in the world – is not deterring child abusers.
Elnur Beisenbaev, MP and executive secretary of the ruling Amanat party, said the government was “spineless” and pandering to pedophiles for not pushing for “surgical castration.”
“Unfortunately, sex crimes against children are becoming increasingly common,” he said, suggesting that chemical castration – which lowers male libido through injected anti-androgen drugs – was ineffective.
“By releasing a rapist, we are creating the conditions for recidivism with our own hands,” he added.
Chemical castration in Kazakhstan (File Photo). Elnur Beisenbaev, MP and executive secretary of the ruling Amanat party, said the government was “spineless” and pandering to pedophiles for not pushing for “surgical castration.”
Erkezhan Nurmakhan, five, was lured to a pedophile’s home after he offered her money for an ice cream. Murderer Saidolim Gayibnazarov, 48, who was previously convicted, was sentenced to life in prison and chemical castration
Erkezhan’s murderer Saidolim Gayibnazarov, 48, who was previously convicted, was sentenced to life in prison and chemical castration
“This is evident from the death of little Erkizhan in Saryagash.”
Erkezhan Nurmakhan, five, was lured to a pedophile’s home after he offered her money for an ice cream.
Killer Saidolim Gayibnazarov, 48, who had previously been convicted, was sentenced to life in prison and chemical castration.
“The government says our amendment for surgical castration of pedophiles violates human rights,” said the MP, a father of four, who plans to continue pushing for the new law.
‘We are not proposing to apply it to all pedophiles, but we do want to give the courts the option of surgical castration.
‘If a pedophile attack is particularly brutal, I believe surgical castration should be used…’
“About 430 such crimes have been committed against our children recently.
“Our government is showing its lack of backbone by not endorsing surgical castration, as if we are violating the rights of pedophiles, because pedophiles are human.
“I believe they are not human beings.”
He spoke of another case in which “a father from Almaty who had been raping his daughter for two years received only 20 years in prison.”
He said, ‘This is nonsense. Criminals like him should face life imprisonment and medical castration.”
He added: “This (surgical castration) is a preventive measure.
“It sends a message to all pedophiles and other similar criminals that this heinous crime will result in physical castration by court order.”
MP Elnur Beisenbaev said: “Unfortunately, sexual crimes against children are becoming increasingly common,” he said, suggesting that chemical castration – which lowers male libido through injected anti-androgenic drugs – was ineffective.
Kazakhstan has had a system of forced castration for pedophiles for years.
Child molesters have been shown on Kazakh TV talking about their fear after being forcibly castrated.
One said: ‘I know it’s harmful to my body.
‘I know it will affect my health in the future.’
Another said: ‘Now I regret committing such a crime.’
Still, there are critics of the plan.
Human rights activist Dina Tansari said pedophiles remained dangerous after their release, even after chemical castration.
“Impunity leads to new crimes,” she said.
‘No amount of chemical castration will help…’
‘We must keep in mind that the drug used in this procedure is very easy to remove from the body.
‘Doctors say its effect can be neutralized by alcohol.
“I think this is a waste of public resources.”
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Lepikha called surgical castration “controversial.”
“In terms of ethics and the human side of the issue, it is very complicated indeed,” he said.
‘Moreover, we are talking about these criminals who are imprisoned for life, so (castration) makes no sense.’