Prosecutors propose legalizing chemical castration of pedophiles

June 11, BPN. Belarus’ interior ministry prepared a bill that would allow compulsory medical treatment of pedophiles, Anžalika Kurčak of the Prosecutor General’s Office told ONT TV channel on June 10.

Prosecutor General’s Office requested amendments to the Criminal Code that would introduce compulsory treatment of convicted pedophiles, including chemical castration, she said.

On March 6, Deputy Prosecutor General Alaksiej Stuk mentioned plans to introduce compulsory treatment of pedophiles. Chemical castration would be a “radical” but possible measure, he said. “State agencies will develop legislative initiatives, depending on how this evil’s [sexual crimes against children] prevention proceeds,” the official added.

Sex offenses against children rose 28-fold in Belarus since 2012 to more than 1,000 in 2022, according to the official data. In 2022, authorities filed criminal charges against some 420 people for pedophile crimes, most of whom were aged between 18 and 30.