Ages of consent in Asia
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The ages of consent for sexual activity vary by jurisdiction across Asia. The specific activity engaged in or the gender of its participants can also be affected by the law. Below is a discussion of the various laws dealing with this subject. The highlighted age refers to an age at or above which an individual can engage in unfettered sexual relations with another who is also at or above that age. Other variables, for example homosexual relations or close in age exceptions may exist and are noted when relevant.
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[edit] China (PRC)
In China (PRC) the national legal age of consent for sexual activity is 14 years for both males and females. There are no sodomy laws. However, most provinces have ordinances that prohibit "immoral sexual acts" or "Promiscuity" with female minors. The phrases "Immoral sexual acts" and "Promiscuity" are not strictly defined. It is mainly used to prevent female minors from engaging in prostitution, with a special clause provisioning for "Whoring girls aged under twenty-four (24)."[citation needed] The homosexual age of consent is not clearly defined, but implied at 14.
[edit] Hong Kong (SAR, China)
In Hong Kong (China) the National legal age of consent for sexual activity is 16 years for both males and females (Crimes Ord., Cap 200).
[edit] Indonesia
In Indonesia the age of consent for heterosexual sexual activity is 19 years for males and 16 years for females. However, the homosexual age of consent is 18 for females and males[citation needed].
[edit] Iran
In Iran extramarital sex is illegal, except for "Temporal Marriage for pleasure". Homosexual marriage is not legal and homosexual sexual acts may be punishable by death. Recent reports of youths being hanged for committing homosexual acts have been disputed by the Iranian Government. However gay rights supporters claim that the other charges are routinely invented to avoid backlash from the population.
See also:
Further reading:
[edit] Japan
The National age of consent in Japan is 13 for both males and females, as specified by the Japanese Penal Code Articles 176 and 177. There are no sodomy laws. However, most prefectures have ordinances that prohibit "immoral sexual acts" with minors. The phrase "Immoral sexual acts" is not strictly defined. It is mainly used to prevent minors from engaging in quasi prostitution (e.g. Enjo kōsai). It is unclear if the translated term "minors" refers to children (defined as those aged under 18) or to those who have not reached majority (defined as those under 20).[citation needed]
- Sexual Offences Laws of Japan (the website of Interpol)
- The database of Laws and Ordinances by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan (in Japanese)
[edit] Philippines
The age of consent for sexual activity and marriage in the Philippines is 18 years for both males and females, although it is rarely enforced.
[edit] Russia
See Russia's entry at Ages of consent in Europe
[edit] Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia extramarital sex is illegal (adultery). Homosexual marriage is not legal and homosexual sexual acts may be punishable. The traditional penalty for adultery is stoning to death for married people (or those in a legal concubinage) and 100 lashes plus banishment for unmarried people.
See also: Human rights in Saudi Arabia.
[edit] Thailand
The age of consent in Thailand is 15 (with the below caveat) as specified by article 279 of the Thai Criminal Code. The current legislation applies to both men and women, although it is a common misconception that it applies only to women.[citation needed]
However parts of the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act which disallow any sexual contact with prostitutes under the age of 18, are widely interpreted by some local authorities to cover sexual acts classed as "obscenity for personal gratification". Also from the Penal Code Amendment Act of 1997 Section 283bis, having sex with child under 18 is a compoundable offense even with the consent of that person. The parent or the child may file charge against the other side if he or she later regrets his or her own action. This ostensibly makes the Thai unfettered age of consent 18.
A high profile example of this application of the law was a statutory rape charge filed against the lead singer of the Thai band Big Ass for allegedly having had sex with a (then) 16 year old girl. The charge was filed by the girl after the singer refused to take responsibility for her baby. The singer has since been cleared of being the baby's father due to the results of a paternity test and he received 2 years suspended sentence. [1] & [2]
[edit] References
- ^ DNA test clears 'Dag' (2006-5-20).
- ^ Popular rocker given suspended jail term for having sex with underage girl (2007-3-30).
