JAKARTA (Web Desk) – Indonesia has said it will punish child rapists with the death penalty and chemical castration, following public outrage over several recently reported crimes.
President Joko Widodo said on Thursday that the regulation is “intended to overcome the crisis caused by sexual violence against children,” the BBC reported.
Previously, the maximum sentence for rape, of either an adult or a child, was 14 years in jail.
People jailed for sexual offences against children may also be forced to wear electronic monitoring devices after release.
The gang rape of 14-year-old Yuyun on her way home from school and the rape and brutal murder of a 18-year-old factory worker this month have sparked national outrage in Indonesia over the issue of child abuse.
In polls and on social media there is widespread support for tougher punishments including castration and the death penalty for perpetrators, particularly when children are the victims.
Introduced by emergency presidential decree, the new rules are to take effect immediately but could be overturned by parliament at a later date.
“An extraordinary crime deserves an exceptional response”, Mr Widodo said while justifying the harsh punishments.
