Criticism of the law – In Madagascar, rapists are castrated

The African country’s constitutional court approved the law at the end of February. However, only the surgical castration of rapists of minors was given the green light. The judges rejected chemical castration, which would be intended for rapists of young people aged 13 and older, because it could be reversed.

Only five years in prison
The sentence is in addition to the five-year prison term currently available for child abuse in Madagascar. According to Minister of Justice Landy Mbolatiana Randriamanantenasoa, the law should lead to a reduction in child abuse.

Criticism came from human rights organization Amnesty International, among others. Castration is “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” that contradicts the country’s constitutional provisions against torture and other forms of ill-treatment. Regional and international human rights standards were also not respected, it was said.

The EU envoy must be expelled
EU Ambassador Isabelle Delattre Burger also made critical comments and was subsequently summoned by the Malagasy Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She had pointed out that the castration law was contrary to “international treaties”. “Madagascar’s Foreign Ministry has expressed dissatisfaction (…) and has demanded that the ambassador be replaced,” said Nabila Massrali, spokeswoman for the European Commission. According to the ministry, an accompanying letter should have remained confidential.