Rapists and paedophiles will undergo chemical castration under proposed new law
Italy has taken steps towards legalising chemical castration for rapists and paedophiles, with a proposed new bill.
Rome’s parliament on Wednesday approved the creation of a commission that could draft laws on treating violent sex offenders with androgen-blocking drugs.
The treatment would be consensual and reversible, with the aim of preventing recidivism, Politico reports.
It is the latest move by Italy’s right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to undermine law and order.
Since taking power in 2022, Meloni has pushed legislation to create new crimes and tougher sentences.
Pictured: Chemical castration being performed in Kazakhstan (file photo)
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (pictured) has launched a campaign to maintain law and order
However, the new law was proposed by a far-right wing of her governing coalition, which had previously made chemical castration for pedophiles and rapists a key part of its programme.
Under the proposal, violent sex offenders would be able to avoid prison time in exchange for taking hormone-blocking drugs.
However, the plans have been criticised by opposition groups for being “extremist” and a “violation of humanity and justice”.
Enrico Borghi of the centrist Italia Viva party posted on social media: ‘What now? Tar and feathers, or rope and soap?’
Simona Bonafè of the centre-left Democratic Party added that the plans were “unconstitutional” and “undermine the foundations of our legal system, which has opposed the use of corporal punishment for centuries”.
Chemical castration has already been introduced in Kazakhstan, Poland and parts of the United States for certain crimes.
Pictured: Montecitorio Palace, the lower house of Italy’s parliament where the proposals were discussed
Meloni pictured with Sir Keir Starmer in Rome on September 16
In this treatment, a person is given hormone-blocking drugs to prevent the production of testosterone.
However, concerns have been raised about its physical and psychological side effects and its effectiveness in preventing recidivism.