Nov 12, 2011

Vietnam - NA deputies debate whether prostitution should be legalized



During and after the meeting of the National Assembly on Thursday to discuss the bill on penalty for administrative violations, some NA deputies said prostitution should be legalized, while others disagreed.

“Prostitution is a reality in any modern society and it is time for us to adopt a new viewpoint on this issue. We have long stuck to a view that sees prostitution as a social evil that must be eliminated. But in reality, prostitution not only has existed and still exists in our country but its has even worsened,” said chairman of the Hanoi Farmers’ Association Trinh The Khiet.

“In the face of such a reality, I think we should legalize prostitution as a job and assign places for sex workers to do their job,” he said.

“We have tried to root out prostitution but failed to prevent its expansion. I therefore propose we legalize it but restrict it to certain areas and create a functional agency to manage them, as has been done in many other countries.

“A number of countries have allowed prostitution as a profession and they have put it under control. Therefore, we have two options here. The first is to ban prostitution but fail to control it, and the second is to accept it and control it well.”

Many Hanoi deputies agreed with Khiet.

One of them was Pham Ngoc Thach, head of the Organization of the Hanoi National University, who said, “Prostitution is increasing along with the development of our society. It probably should be considered a [normal] social issue for [better] management of it.”

Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Minh, head of the Department of Social Evil Prevention and Control Department said the opinion was not new, since some deputies had raised them in previous meetings.

“But I do not understand what conception they have about this issue. If we accept prostitution, we must amend the Constitution and relevant laws, and if it is the case, we will need a roadmap for that process.”

He also noted that prevailing laws always aim to protect women’s honor and dignity and their family happiness.

Mai Hoa, deputy head of the Commission for Propaganda and Education of Vietnam Women’s Union, said, “The Union’s constant view is that prostitution should not be recognized as an occupation. Therefore, we have no interest in whether there should be a new view about sex workers.”

“Our tasks are focused on preventing women from prostituting themselves and giving assistance to women in seeking jobs or taking vocational courses. Unemployment is the main cause of prostitution,” she said.

The bill will be discussed again on November 18.

TUOI TRE



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