Virginity testing is now a criminal offense in Kosovo, as the government considers it a violation of human rights.

 This was reported by Euractiv.

 The changes were approved along with other innovations that provide for tougher penalties for domestic violence, sexual harassment and rape under EU law.

 "Virginity testing is also provided as a new criminal offence; this new offense is authorized because it is considered to be an unnecessary medical examination that violates basic human rights," the government explained.

 Anyone caught doing such tests risks being convicted of a criminal offence.

 The virginity test takes place together with the operation to "restore" the virginity before the wedding. These operations are carried out in private clinics and illegally in the public health care system for a fee.

 It is believed that at least 1,000 women in Albania undergo this procedure each year before marriage to hide their future husbands' previous sexual activity. There are no similar data for Kosovo.

 The procedures, which are usually performed on girls between the ages of 18 and 30 and cost around 200 euros, are carried out in secret in Albania and are prohibited by general gynecological clinical regulations.