ISLAMABAD: Responding to the introduction of new anti-rape ordinance measures that include the legalization of chemical castration as a form of punishment for repeat offenders, Amnesty International said on Wednesday the move would not fix Pakistan’s “flawed” justice system.
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s President Dr. Arif Alvi approved a new anti-rape ordinance that includes measures to speed up rape trials, create a national sex offender registry and allow the chemical castration of repeat offenders.
Pakistan’s government has 120 days to take the measure to parliament and have it permanently passed into law, during which time the law will remain in force.
“Forced chemical castrations would violate Pakistan’s international and constitutional obligations to prohibit torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” Amnesty said. “Punishments like this will do nothing to fix a flawed criminal justice system.”
The statement added: “Instead of trying to deflect attention, the authorities should focus on the crucial work of reforms that will address the root causes of sexual violence and give survivors the justice they deserve and the protection they need.”
The new ordinance comes months after the headline-grabbing gang-rape of a woman along a major highway, in front of her minor children. The incident prompted outrage, protests and demands by rights activists and citizens that the government do more to stem violence against women, including ensuring perpetrators were held accountable in a country that has seen over 4,000 rapes this year, according to the group War Against Rape.
