The Legal Dilemma of Chemical Castration in Algeria: Balancing Criminal Legality and Human Dignity Amidst Legislative Silence

This study aims to analyze chemical castration as a newly introduced mechanism within criminal policy to address sexual offenses against minors, in light of the balance between the need to deter sexual crimes and the imperative to protect human dignity, It departs from the growing gravity of sexual crimes against children and the resulting societal demand for harsher punishment, by examining the legitimacy of incorporating chemical castration into the Algerian penal system. This modern measure, which functions by suppressing sexual hormones to reduce aggressive impulses, has sparked deep doctrinal debate—between those who regard it as a preventive measure that enhances public safety, and those who view it as a violation of bodily integrity and human rights protected under international conventions. The study also discusses the Algerian constitutional framework, which enshrines the principles of legality and protection of the human body, concluding that the adoption of chemical castration requires explicit legislative regulation defining its nature and safeguards. Ultimately, the research finds that chemical castration represents a hybrid measure, combining elements of deterrence and treatment, and recommends that the Algerian legislator conduct a careful assessment before its adoption to ensure compliance with the Constitution and international human rights obligations.