Madagascar Court Orders Surgical Castration for Ch...

Madagascar Court Orders Surgical Castration for Child Rapist

A court in Madagascar has handed down a life sentence with hard labour and surgical castration to a man convicted of raping a six-year-old girl, marking the first time the harsh measure has been applied under a new law passed in 2024.

The case involved the rape and attempted murder of the child in Imerintsiatosika, a town located about 30km west of the capital, Antananarivo. Attorney General Didier Razafindralambo confirmed the sentence in a video statement released by the Ministry of Justice on July 10.

“The person prosecuted in this case was sentenced by the Court to life imprisonment with hard labour, accompanied by castration,” Razafindralambo said. He added that the ruling sends a powerful message to potential offenders and reinforces the justice system’s commitment to protecting children.

The punishment is part of legislation enacted last year to combat the rising number of sexual crimes against minors aged 10 and below. Authorities said the move came in response to a disturbing increase in reported cases across the country.

“This decision is a strong and significant response from the justice system, intended also to serve as a warning to anyone with similar malicious intentions,” Razafindralambo said.

Surgical castration has previously been used in countries like Germany and the Czech Republic, typically with the consent of the convicted. In the United States, Louisiana became the first state to mandate surgical castration in certain child sex offence cases in 2024.

Several countries, including Poland, South Korea, and some US states, have implemented chemical castration—administered through ongoing medication and considered reversible—as a means to curb repeat offences. The United Kingdom is currently considering legislation to allow its use.

However, human rights groups have expressed concern over both surgical and chemical castration, arguing the measures are unethical. Advocates instead urge governments to focus on survivor protection, robust legal processes, and long-term prevention strategies.