by Christopher Sharma

3-4 rapes take place every day in Nepal, especially on children under 12 years of age. Religious leaders and human activists oppose the proposal. "No to forced sterility, seek alternative measures".

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - To control the increase in rapes in Nepal, a parliamentary committee has proposed the government to enact a law on chemical castration for rapists. Ranju Thakur, president of the committee, said: "According to reports, at least 3-4 rapes cases are reported each day. Among the cases, 70 percent are minors below the age of 12. This is really shameful to share among international communities that women and girls are not safe in Nepal".

So far, the proposal has met with a lot of criticism from by religious leaders, human rights activists and members of the government.

Thakur points out that chemical castration "would not only make a man sterile, but it also would control his emotional state. So it is useful both as a threat and as a deterrent. " Dr. Bharat Tiwari, a doctor, however, explains that "chemical castration destroys not only the excitement in the sexual sphere, but also in others".

Government spokesman Minendra Rijal said that the executive "will now have to weigh the pros and cons of this practice." What is certain, he added, "is that too many children are raped".

According to several human rights activists, no one has the right to forcibly sterilize others. "It is an inhumane practice - asserts Ananda Dhunganauna - and we should think of alternative sentence to castration".

Religious leaders of all faiths have suggested the government to devise laws or other methods to control the rapes and create a safe environment for women and girls. "Although rape is a serious crime - emphasizes Christian leader Bulanda Thapa - castration is not the appropriate measure to reduce its incidence”.

Only last week (March 15 to 21) 60 rapes were recorded in Nepal. Generally almost in 50% of cases it is incest, with a grandfather or uncle who rapes their niece or granddaughter. This, say the religious leaders, indicates the grave spiritual crisis pervasive in Nepalese society, which is giving way to increasing corruption and immorality.

• NEPAL
• religious
• leaders
• civil
• society
• chemical
• castration
• RAPISTS
• MINORS