Indonesia could 'wipe out' paedophilia with chemical castration, president says

'Our constitution respects human rights, but when it comes to sexual crimes there is no compromise'

Chemical castration could reduce sex crimes and "wipe out" paedophilia in Indonesia, the country's president has said.

Earlier this month, Jakarta introduced harsh new laws including minimum sentences, chemical castratoin and possible execution for paedophiles.

The legislaiton was proposed by the president after the brutal gang rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl.

"Our constitution respects human rights, but when it comes to sexual crimes there is no compromise," President Joko Widodo told the BBC.

"We are strong and we have to be very firm. We will hand out the maximum penalty for sexual crimes. This will not be compromised."

When asked what evidence there is chemical castration works with sex offenders by presenter Yalda Hakim, Mr Widodo said: "In my opinion... chemical castration, if we enforce it consistently, will reduce sex crimes and wipe them out over time."

The law has been criticised by the Indonesian Doctors Association, which said its members would refuse to administer chemical castration as it is a violation of its medical ethics.

"That's fine if doctors don't want to do it," Mr Widodo said.

"We can use other doctors. We could use military doctors."

He added: "There are lots of people who want to do it. That's not a problem."

He said if the court hands out the punishment of chemical castration, then "we will carry it out," saying military doctors or government doctors could carry out the procedure.

Chemical castration of paedophiles is already practiced in several countries, including Poland, Turkey, South Korea, Russia and some parts of the US.

In the UK, convicted paedophiles can undergo the procedure voluntarily.