Under the law, sponsored by Poland's centre-right government, paedophiles convicted of raping children under the age of 15 years or a close relative would have to undergo chemical therapy on their release from prison.

"The purpose of this action is to improve the mental health of the convict, to lower his libido and thereby to reduce the risk of another crime being committed by the same person," the government said in a statement on Friday (local time).

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said late last year he wanted obligatory castration for paedophiles, whom he branded 'degenerates'.

Mr Tusk said he did not believe "one can use the term 'human' for such individuals, such creatures".

"Therefore I don't think protection of human rights should refer to these kind of events," he said.

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More about this news item:

Polish Castration Plans for Pedophiles Angers Brussels (Deutsche Welle)
Poland to enforce chemical castration of paedophiles (Telegraph.co.uk)
Poland backs chemical castration (BBC)