Bangkok: To combat sex crimes, Thailand on Tuesday passed a bill that allows voluntary chemical castration of convicted sex offenders. According to ANI, the Thai Senate passed a bill allowing voluntary chemical castration of sex offenders (a convicted criminal who commits a crime again), reported the Bangkok Post.
Under the bill, medication can be prescribed only with the approval of a psychiatric specialist and an internal medicine specialist and with the consent of the sex offender concerned. As the Bangkok Post reports, criminals who agree to receive treatment, injections that lower their testosterone levels, will in turn shorten their prison terms.
The “Violence Re-Violation Prevention Bill” was proposed by the Ministry of Justice and has already gone through three readings in the House of Representatives. This more punitive approach to sex crimes was passed by the Senate, after overwhelming support from lawmakers. The bill passed its third reading in the House of Representatives in February.
As the Bangkok Post reports, the Senate unanimously approved the bill, which applies to repeat and violent sex offenders, by a 145-0 vote. Health officials will decide the procedures. As the Bangkok Post reports, the bill will become law when it is published in the Royal Gazette on a date to be decided by the cabinet.
Which countries allow chemical castration?
Chemical castration is not a new form of punishment. It has been used in at least eight states of South Korea, Pakistan, Poland and the US. Other countries, including Norway, Denmark and Germany, have opted for surgical castration of serious sex offenders.
However, there are arguments being made about the castration process being a violation of human rights. Many experts believe that castration will stop sex. A castrated person may become more violent and become a false marriageist. A neat guy may start hating girls. The castrated man may start harming the girls due to excessive anger.
Furthermore, sexual intercourse is not the only form of violence. Those who demonstrate violence against girls may use other methods of violence.
Meanwhile, there is another section of experts who believe that rising rape cases across the society have made stricter punishment the need of the hour. Castration will reduce the crime rate due to fear in the society. People will think twice before committing such a crime.