The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has passed in the first reading and as a whole Law "On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding tougher responsibility for crimes committed against minors."
Relevant bill No. 6449 was backed by 247 MPs registered in the session hall, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
The law amends the Criminal Code of Ukraine by strengthening responsibility for the rape and sexual abuse of minors.
Read alsoUkraine's parliament passes new Electoral Code
New Article 59-1 "Forced chemical castration" is being introduced into the Criminal Code. According to the article, the punishment in the form of compulsory chemical castration means the forced injection of antiandrogenic drugs reducing libido.
It is stipulated the compulsory chemical castration shall not be applied to persons who have committed the relevant crimes under the age of 18 and over the age of 65.
The Cabinet of Ministers is also instructed within two months from the day this law came into force to ensure the creation of a public register of persons who were sentenced to imprisonment under Articles 152, 153, 155, 156 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for the rape a minor, forcible sexual assault of a minor in an unnatural way, sexual intercourse with a person under the age of puberty, and sexual abuse of minors.
In addition, the Verkhovna Rada made amendments to the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine and Law "On administrative supervision of persons released from prison," in particular, supplementing them with a category of persons convicted to imprisonment for the rape of a minor, forcible sexual assault of a minor in an unnatural way, sexual intercourse with a person under the age of puberty, and sexual abuse of minors.
At the same time, the termination of administrative supervision does not apply to persons convicted under Articles 152, 153, 155, 156 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for the said crimes.
The law comes into force on the day following the day of its publication.
