Prostitution in Asia
The legality of prostitution in Asia varies by country. In Asia, the main characteristic of the region is the very big discrepancy between the laws which exist on the books and what occurs in practice. For example, in Thailand prostitution is illegal,[1] but in practice it is tolerated and regulated, and the country is a destination for sex tourism.
Child prostitution is a serious problem in this region. Past surveys indicate that 30 to 35 percent of all prostitutes in the Mekong sub-region of Southeast Asia are between 12 and 17 years of age.[2]
The World Health Organization has called for the decriminalisation of sex work as a means of combating HIV/AIDS. The Asian region has the lowest incidence (5.2%) [3]
This page uses the UN system of subregions.
Table
Country or territory | Prostitution | Legal age for solicitation | Brothels | Pimping | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Prostitution is a thriving industry in Afghanistan. However, areas controlled by the Taliban strictly prohibit prostitution. |
Armenia | Legal | age uncertain | Illegal | Illegal | |
Azerbaijan | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Bahrain | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Although illegal, prostitution remains a problem; many across the Middle East go to Bahrain for prostitution due to its lax feel towards it. |
Bangladesh | Illegal | Not allowed | Legal | Legal | Even before prostitution was legalized, child prostitution was and still is a major problem. |
Bhutan | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
British Indian Ocean Territory | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Brunei | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Cambodia | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Because the Thai government has begun to crack down on child sex tourism, child prostitution has become increasingly popular in Cambodia, due to lax opposition towards it, and cheaper prices. |
China | Illegal nationwide; erotic massages are legal in the city of Foshan | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Prostitution is believed to be a major problem in China, due to corruption and organized crime. Many foreign prostitutes are trafficked into China from Russia, North Korea, Kenya, and Angola. |
Cyprus | Legal | Not known | Illegal | Illegal | |
Georgia | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Hong Kong | Legal | 18 | Illegal | Illegal | |
India | Legal; prostitution isn't a criminal offense, but prostitution in a public place or a hotel is illegal | Age uncertain, not allowed in public | Illegal | Illegal | |
Indonesia | Legal | No legally defined age | Legal | Legal | While considered a crime against decency and morality, there is no government law against it. Due to lax laws on age, Indonesia has become a popular place for child prostitution, and government action against it is nearly non-existent. |
Iran | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Iraq | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Israel | Legal | age uncertain | Illegal | Illegal | |
Japan | Coital sex acts are illegal; other sexual acts are legal | Illegal for intercourse; 18 for other acts | Illegal | Illegal | |
Jordan | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Kazakhstan | Legal | age uncertain | Illegal | Illegal | |
Kuwait | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Kyrgyzstan | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Laos | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Lebanon | Legal | 18 | Legal | Illegal | |
Macau | Legal | 18 | Illegal | Illegal | Human Trafficking is a major problem, many foreign prostitutes are trafficked from Mongolia, Russia, Thailand, and Central Asia. |
Malaysia | Illegal, but often unenforced | Not allowed, but often unenfroced | Illegal, but often unforced | Illegal, but often unenforced | |
Maldives | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Mongolia | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Prostitution is a major problem, most foreigners trafficked into Mongolia are from China. |
Myanmar | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Due to widespread poverty, many are trafficked into neighboring countries, Malaysia, and South Korea for prostitution. |
Nepal | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
North Korea | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | The government doesn't openly support prostitution, known in North Korea as kippumjo. Prostitution is a major problem due to corruption and poverty. |
Oman | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Pakistan | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Prostitution is a common practice in Pakistan, although not in public. |
Palestine | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Philippines | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Prostitution is a major problem despite strict laws against it. |
Qatar | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Saudi Arabia | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Death is often the punishment of being involved in prostitution |
Singapore | Legal | 16, public solicitation isn't allowed | Illegal[4][5][6] | Illegal[7][8] | |
South Korea | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Despite strict government action, prostitution remains common across South Korea. |
Sri Lanka | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Syria | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Taiwan | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Tajikistan | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | Prostitution remains a major problem due to widespread poverty |
Thailand | Illegal, but tolerated and regulated | Not allowed in practice | Existent and partially regulated | Illegal | |
Timor-Leste | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Turkey | Legal | 18 | Legal, all brothels are government owned | Illegal | |
Turkmenistan | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
United Arab Emirates | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Uzbekistan | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Vietnam | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Yemen | Illegal | Not allowed | Illegal | Illegal | |
Country/Territory | Prostitution | Legal Age for solicitation | Brothels | Pimping | Notes |
Central Asia
- Prostitution in Kyrgyzstan
- Prostitution in Tajikistan
- Prostitution in Turkmenistan
- Prostitution in Uzbekistan
Kazakhstan
In Kazakhstan prostitution itself is legal, but acts facilitating prostitution, such as operating a brothel or prostitution ring, are illegal. Forced prostitution and prostitution connected to organized crime are prohibited. Prostitution is a serious problem. NGOs reported that criminal prostitution rings often included local law enforcement officials.[9]
East Asia
- Prostitution in China
- Prostitution in Taiwan
- Prostitution in Hong Kong
- Prostitution in Japan
- Prostitution in Mongolia
- Prostitution in North Korea
- Prostitution in South Korea
South Asia
- Prostitution in Afghanistan
- Prostitution in Bangladesh
- Prostitution in Bhutan
- Prostitution in India
- Prostitution in the Maldives
- Prostitution in Nepal
- Prostitution in Pakistan
- Prostitution in Sri Lanka
Southeast Asia
- Prostitution in Brunei
- Prostitution in Cambodia
- Prostitution in Indonesia
- Prostitution in Laos
- Prostitution in Malaysia
- Prostitution in Myanmar
- Prostitution in the Philippines
- Prostitution in Singapore
- Prostitution in Thailand
- Prostitution in Timor-Leste
- Prostitution in Vietnam
West Asia
Armenia
In Armenia, prostitution itself is not regulated by legislation, thus, is not illegal; procuring is forbidden.[10] Operating a brothel and engaging in other forms of pimping are crimes punishable by one to 10 years' imprisonment.[11]
Azerbaijan
Prostitution in Azerbaijan is illegal. Operating a brothel and engaging in other forms of pimping are crimes punishable imprisonment, while prostitution is punishable with a fine.
Cyprus
The law does not prohibit prostitution itself, but operating brothels, organizing prostitution rings, living off the profits of prostitution, encouraging prostitution or forcing a person to engage in prostitution are illegal activities.[12] The law regulating the hiring of women at nightclubs and cabarets provides penalties for women and employers who "partially or completely earn a living from prostitution." In July 2006 the Nicosia District Court ordered the first prostitution-related imprisonment in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots. After pleading no contest to the charges, the manager of Mexico nightclub, Mesut Kilicarslan, was sentenced to 15 days in prison for encouraging and profiting from prostitution. By year's end three more suspects were sentenced to imprisonment for encouraging and profiting from prostitution.[12]
Cyprus has been criticized by the US State Department [13] for failing to control the flow of illegal immigrants and legal to be involved in forced prostitution. Cyprus has gained a reputation for being a major transit point for people smugglers to transport women for the purposes of prostitution. International observers have criticized the government for its lack of action to prevent forced prostitution. The law of Cyprus forbids forced (but not voluntary) prostitution. However, it is believed that many immigrants are hired as bar maids and coerced into prostitution by this method.[12]
Georgia
In Georgia, prostitution is illegal but widespread, particularly in Tbilisi. Many NGO's attribute this to the harsh economic conditions according to the US State Department.[14][15] Many women from Georgia are of Human Trafficking operations to or from countries. Women who are forced to be prostitutes are in Georgia are often from Asia and neighboring European countries.
In 2006 the country incorporated into its domestic law the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.[14] The punishment for human trafficking in Georgia is 15 years. There is also a special law to protect families of Georgian women who fear reprisals from gang masters of women who refuse to be forced into prostitution abroad.
Jordan
Prostitution in Jordan is illegal and has a significant following of sex tourism in the middle east.[16][17][18][19] Syrian refugees are often used as whores.[20][21][22][23][24]
- Prostitution in Kuwait
- Prostitution in Lebanon
- Prostitution in Oman
- Prostitution in the Palestinian territories
- Prostitution in Qatar
- Prostitution in Saudi Arabia
- Prostitution in Syria
Turkey
In Turkey, prostitution is legal and regulated. Prostitutes must register and acquire an ID card stating the dates of their health checks. Also it is mandatory for registered prostitutes to have regular health checks for sexually transmitted diseases. The police are allowed to check the authenticity of registered prostitutes to determine whether they have been examined properly and to ensure they see the health authorities if they don't. Men cannot register under this regulation. Most sex workers, however, are unregistered, as local governments have made it policy not to issue new registrations. As a result, most sex workers in Turkey are not registered sex workers, working in violation of the law.[25][26] Turkey is listed by the UNODC as a top destination for victims of human trafficking.[27]
See also Prostitution in Europe
See also
References
- ↑ "2008 Human Rights Report: Thailand". State.gov. 2009-02-25. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ↑ "Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, Deena Guzder, "UNICEF: Protecting Children from Commercial Sexual Exploitation"". Pulitzercenter.typepad.com. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ↑ "La OMS defiende la despenalización de la prostitución para reducir los contagios de VIH". ABC.es (in Spanish). 12 December 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
- ↑ Sun, David. "36 arrested in islandwide sweep of heartland brothels". The New Paper. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ↑ Foo, Jie Ying. "Landlord disgusted after finding out flat was used as brothel". The New Paper. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ↑ "Woman tenant arrested for vice-related offences in Little India condo". The New Paper. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ↑ Chelvan, Vanessa Paige. "Online prostitution ring: Pimp sentenced to 9 months' jail". ChannelNews Asia. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ↑ Chong, Elena. "Teen gets probation for helping to manage brothel and receiving prostitute". Straits Times. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ↑ "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Kazakhstan". US Department of State. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
- ↑ "Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia". parliament.am. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
- ↑ "Armenia: 2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices". US Department of State. 11 March 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
- 1 2 3 "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Cyprus". State.gov. 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ↑ "Cyprus's Struggle with the Sex Trade". Retrieved 2008-05-26.
- 1 2 "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Georgia". State.gov. 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ↑ Sexual Offences Laws - Georgia
- ↑ "The Jordanian desert's other delight: sex tourism". Global Post. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
- ↑ "One night in Amman". Inside Story. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
- ↑ "The Trade: Sex Work In Jordan". Jo. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
- ↑ "Jordan : Jordan's Underground Prostitution Industry". Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ↑ "Syrian refugees: Women in Jordan 'sexually exploited'". BBC News. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ↑ "Jordan: Okay, Single women allowed in". Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ↑ Harper, Lee (24 January 2014). "Syrian women in Jordan at risk of sexual exploitation at refugee camps". Retrieved 4 August 2017 – via The Guardian.
- ↑ http://www.thearabweekly.com/, The Arab Weekly. "Jordan deals with different faces of human trafficking". The Arab Weekly. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ↑ "Desperate, some fleeing Syria turn to prostitution in Jordan - Region - World - Ahram Online". english.ahram.org.eg. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ↑ "Turkey: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices". US Department of State. 31 March 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
- ↑ "Turkey's sex trade entraps Slavic women - Europe - International Herald Tribune". 16 February 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ↑ "Special Reports | UN highlights human trafficking". BBC News. 2007-03-26. Retrieved 2010-03-31.