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Madagascar plans to castrate child rapists after parliament passed a law this month that was welcomed by victims’ groups but denounced by human rights advocates, Sky News reported.

The country’s upper legislative house voted in favor of a law that will allow chemical and – in certain cases – surgical castration for individuals convicted of raping a minor.

Under the legislation, those convicted of raping children under the age of 10 will undergo surgical castration – the permanent procedure of removing a person’s genitals to halt the production of sex hormones.

People found guilty of raping children aged 10 to 13 may face surgical or chemical castration, while those raping children aged 14 to 17 may face chemical castration. The latter does not sterilize the individual but inhibits hormone production.

Offenders will also face harsher sentences, including life imprisonment, along with castration.

The law is expected to be approved by President Andry Rajoelina, who first raised the issue in December, leading to the proposal of the new law.

The government said the law was necessary to curb an increase in the number of rapes of children. Justice Minister Landy Randriamanantenasoa said that there were 600 cases of rape against minors last year.

In January, officials recorded more than 130 cases, she added.

Victim’s rights associations hailed the new law as “progress,” saying it will help fight against the “rape culture” in Madagascar.

Even so, international human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, denounced it as “inhuman and degrading” as well as not in line with the country’s constitution.

Amnesty International also questioned if Madagascar’s justice system will mete out proper judgments, citing its “opacity and corruption.”