Pharmacotherapy and Human Rights in Sexual Offenders: best of friends or unlikely bedfellows?

The use of pharmacotherapy is gaining ground as a risk treatment and/or risk management option with sex offenders, around the world. Whilst several articles have recently been published which look at the efficacy of this option, this is not the focus here. Rather it assesses the human rights implications of its use and importantly, questions whether the use of sexual suppressants with or without consent is a viable option in light of obligations under International Human Rights Law. With particular reference to the European Convention on Human Rights and the concept of human dignity, it examines whether pharmacotherapy is being administered in line with human rights protection.