A decree authorizing chemical castration for convicted child sex offenders has been signed by Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, requires those released on bail to wear electronic monitoring devices. The decree also increased jail sentences from 10 years to 20 years.
Mr Joko stated that, “The inclusion of such an amendment will provide space for the judge to decide severe punishments as a deterrent effect on perpetrators. These crimes have undermined the development of children, and these crimes have disturbed our sense of peace, security and public order. So, we will handle it in an extraordinary way.”
This change in punishment comes in response to the brutal gang rape and murder in April of a 14-year-old girl on her way home. Seven teenage boys were each sentenced to 10 years in prison for the crime, which prompted national calls for chemical castration for child sex offenders.
Last year, Mr Joko removed an unofficial moratorium on capital punishment by executing 13 convicted drug traffickers by firing squad, 12 who were foreigners, prompting international condemnation. A second Indonesian was also executed for murder.
