Proposal to make prostitution legal
By Christine Cai |
March 5, 2012, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PROSTITUTION should be made legal to prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, a deputy to the National People's Congress said yesterday.
Chi Susheng, a lawyer from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, said her measure would ensure that sex workers would be subject to regular health checks.
Chi said the law should be amended to remove punishment for organizing prostitution.
But the lawmaker suggested adding a clause saying that prostitutes without a health license or who were not working in a designated place should face prison terms of up to three years.
The relevant AIDS prevention and control laws, industrial and commercial administrative laws and health and epidemic prevention rules should also be renovated in line with the amended law on prostitution, she said.
Chi said her suggestion came from her working experience and its purpose was to push the government to legalize sex workers and protect their rights, and control the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Chi's idea sparked heated debate online.
Those who backed it, said such a measure would reduce the crime rate and control diseases.
A doctor commented on Chi's microblog, saying it was impossible to eliminate prostitution in China. "The key of disease control is to cut its source. Giving prostitutes licenses and conducting regular checks are effective to protect people and prevent AIDS," he said.
Others, however, said China was a traditional country and such a suggestion shouldn't be discussed at the NPC, let alone be approved by it.
Prostitution has been illegal since the establishment of People's Republic of China in 1949.
Chi Susheng, a lawyer from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, said her measure would ensure that sex workers would be subject to regular health checks.
Chi said the law should be amended to remove punishment for organizing prostitution.
But the lawmaker suggested adding a clause saying that prostitutes without a health license or who were not working in a designated place should face prison terms of up to three years.
The relevant AIDS prevention and control laws, industrial and commercial administrative laws and health and epidemic prevention rules should also be renovated in line with the amended law on prostitution, she said.
Chi said her suggestion came from her working experience and its purpose was to push the government to legalize sex workers and protect their rights, and control the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Chi's idea sparked heated debate online.
Those who backed it, said such a measure would reduce the crime rate and control diseases.
A doctor commented on Chi's microblog, saying it was impossible to eliminate prostitution in China. "The key of disease control is to cut its source. Giving prostitutes licenses and conducting regular checks are effective to protect people and prevent AIDS," he said.
Others, however, said China was a traditional country and such a suggestion shouldn't be discussed at the NPC, let alone be approved by it.
Prostitution has been illegal since the establishment of People's Republic of China in 1949.
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