Rights group Amnesty International has said Madagascar should abolish plans to introduce a new law which allows for the chemical and surgical castration of people convicted of raping minors.

In a statement, Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty’s regional director for east and southern Africa, described the new proposal as “cruel, inhuman and degrading” treatment, and will not solve the problem, and is inconsistent with Malagasy constitutional provisions against torture and other ill-treatment.

Last month, President Andry Rajoelina proposed the amendments to the penal code – that include chemical and surgical castration as punishment for individuals found guilty of rape against minors.

These changes have since been agreed by MPs and will now be reviewed by the Supreme Constitutional Court before being signed into law.