The proposal to introduce compulsory chemical castration for pedophiles in Azerbaijan has gained momentum following the recent arrest of a 64-year-old man accused of sexually abusing a young girl in the Sabirabad region. Footage of the incident, which spread widely on social media, prompted swift action from law enforcement and reignited debate over harsher penalties for such crimes.
Speaking to Minval, psychiatrist Araz Manuchehri-Lalei described sexual attraction to children as a psychiatric disorder, calling for mandatory treatment in psychiatric hospitals — and, in severe cases, chemical castration.
“As inhumane as it may sound, they should be castrated — chemically. In some countries this is acceptable, in others it is not. But if attraction is directed at a three- or four-year-old child, it is unquestionably a mental disorder,” he said.
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He noted that some countries use chemical castration, while others rely on medication to reduce libido, combined with bans on working near children or holding certain jobs. However, he cautioned that any legal change must also address the risk of wrongful convictions.
Child protection advocates support the idea
Kyamala Agazade, head of the “Children of Azerbaijan” public association, backed the proposal, stressing the need to amend laws and update the Criminal Code. She also called for new medical protocols and training for psychiatrists to better diagnose behavioral disorders.
Agazade urged early childhood education on self-protection from abuse and stressed the role of parents in prevention. She warned that societal taboos often prevent children from speaking out, leaving abuse unreported.
Learning from international practice
Human rights activist Eldar Zeynalov noted that Kazakhstan already applies chemical castration as an additional penalty, typically six months before a convict’s release, following mandatory psychiatric evaluation. While considered a humane measure, he said, its effects can be reversed with other drugs — meaning lawmakers should study Western experience before implementation.
According to Zeynalov, media reports on child sexual abuse have increased in recent years, with alarming figures on underage births: in 2024, 1,279 children were born to mothers under 18 in Azerbaijan.
Currently, sexual crimes against minors fall under Article 152 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, which prescribes prison terms starting from three years.
If adopted, the proposal for mandatory chemical castration would mark one of the most severe legal measures against sex crimes in the country’s history.
