Russian lawmakers consider castration bill

MOSCOW, July 12 (UPI) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has submitted a parliamentary measure calling for chemical castration of people convicted of sex offenses against children.

The bill, sent to the lower house of Russia's parliament, also introduces life sentences as possible punishment for pedophiles who are repeat offenders, the official Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported Tuesday.

A Duma official said Medvedev first proposed chemical castration for pedophiles in May.

At the time, he suggested the procedure be voluntary but the United Russia party that holds a majority in parliament insisted it be mandatory.

More than 9,500 sexual crimes against children were committed in Russia in 2009, including more than 960 rapes, Russia's Investigative Committee reported.

Medvedev highlighted the importance of measures to protect children in his annual address to the nation last November.