Félix Chero, Minister of Justice: “The chemical castration project for juvenile rapists is ready”

Minister of Justice and Human Rights (Minjusdh), Felix Chero, indicated that the project of law of the Executive Power on chemical castration for rapists is now ready and will be discussed next Wednesday, in the Council of Ministers. He will then be sent to the Congress of the Republic.

” The chemical castration project for juvenile rapists is ready, we must be approving it in Council of Ministers on Wednesday and take it to the Legislative. This topic leads us to deep reflection. There is a general reaction, to these heinous acts, to statutory rape,” he said in an interview with Exitosa.

He pointed out that the proposal first announced by President Pedro Castillo is a possibility, at least to be discussed and raised by the Executive. The “problem” would be how many people are willing to discuss it and approve it in Parliament.

“It will depend on the legislative branch, the execution and analysis of this project. We have been urging Congress to contribute to the country's democratic process,” he said.

“Our safe bill is perfectible. The Legislative has to do its job and there will surely be proposals,” he stressed.

The minister also acknowledged that the measure would require expenses for its implementation and logistics, but said that “we must weigh the right, between the dignity and safety of girls and boys and an expense of chemical castration.”

In addition, he said that chemical castration would be implemented in the case of convicts who are not serving a life sentence, which is established in the Penal Code. “It's a proposal that I support, but that doesn't mean that other proposals aren't evaluated,” he said.

Thus, Chero pointed out that there are currently 9,674 people sentenced for sexual assault in Peru, which represents 11.15% of the prison population.

“As of January 2021, there are 9,674 people sentenced, which represents 11.15% of the prison population. We estimate that in Peru there are between 700 and 800 cases of violation of the sexual freedom of minors annually,” he specified.

ON THE DEATH PENALTY FOR THOSE SENTENCED FOR RAPE

Following the case of the 3-year-old girl kidnapped and sexually abused by a 48-year-old man, nicknamed the 'Monster of Chiclayo, thousands of people took to the streets to demand tougher penalties for these criminals. Among them, was the death penalty.

Regarding this measure, the Minister of Justice ruled out that the Government had considered implementing it, which implied that Peru would leave the San José Pact.

“That is populist, because we all know that we are attached to the San José Pact. If we resign, it would involve a previous procedure, but we would no longer be able to access the protection of the fundamental rights of the inter-American system,” he said.

ON PARDONS GRANTED BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

It is recalled that, on the occasion of Holy Week, President Pedro Castillo had granted pardons to 20 persons with custodial sentences. Prior to that, it had become known that he had granted 8.

In this regard, Chero remarked that none had been accused of terrorism. Among the prisoners are persons whose crimes were theft, illicit appropriation, fraud or were mothers with children in prisons. In addition, he stressed that in all cases, they had served at least four years of their sentences.

“It is not in our line of action to release those who have committed serious crimes of corruption, such as the case of Mr. Antauro Humala, such as kidnapping or murder,” he said.

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