European country's paedophiles could be chemically castrated for early jail release

Convicted could soon be given the option of chemical castration as an alternative to staying in for life. is the latest European country to want to use the controversial scheme, in a bid to stop those convicted of sexual crimes against children.

The plans for a new law are being forward by the Cypriot MP Michalis Yiacoumi of the Democratic Alignment party to fight a rise in child abuse cases in the country. In 2014, Cyprus brought in mandatory for . The proposal would see the minimum sentence increased to 18 years, with release conditional on them being sterilised with androgen-blocking .

Mr Yiacoumi said: "Parliamentary studies show that child rapists often re-offend. If life imprisonment is not imposed, this additional penalty is necessary to prevent further crimes and the devastation of another life.

"It's unacceptable for them to serve such short sentences and be released without strict restrictions."

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The bill is yet to be approved in Cyprus, and will be discussed in parliament at a later date, with those against it citing human rights violations. The procedure is already used in 12 European countries, and is voluntary.

The controversial plan was led by right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who has been in power since 2022. She wanted to crack down on law and order and plans to bring in the new laws as well as tougher penalties.

Since her government came to power it has introduced legislation establishing dozens of new crimes and increased penalties. Her plans for chemical castration have been criticised by opposition groups for being 'extremist' and a 'violation of humanity and justice'.

Mandatory chemical castration is allowed in and and some American states for certain crimes. In 2024 announced the mass chemical castration.

Eleven paedophiles were made to have 24 injections a year in the country's latest crackdown of its sexual offenders.

Earlier the same year parliament approved a new law that sees anyone found guilty of raping a child under 10 will be surgically castrated and sentenced to life imprisonment.

While if the victim is between 10 and 13, they will instead be chemically castrated and face 15 to 20 years of forced labour.