China abolishes the forced labor of women in prostitution and their clients
The extra-judicial "detention and education" system used to cut forced labor for two years on prostitution women and consumers, but Parliament decided to cancel it. However, prostitution remains illegal in the country
China abolishes the forced labor of women in prostitution and their clients
Photo: Reuters, Edit: Amit SimchaChina's parliament yesterday (Saturday) abolished the extra-judicial system for prostitution women and their clients, under which they could be jailed for two years. However, Parliament stressed that prostitution remained illegal. China banned prostitution after the communist revolution in 1949, but the industry reshaped after widespread economic reforms in the late 1970s, despite periodically stimulating operations.
The official news agency, Xinhua, reported that Parliament, largely a rubber stamp of the ruling Communist Party, voted to abolish the "detention and education" system. The decision stated that it will take effect today, with the release of all prisoners imprisoned by the system. Official media reported that the directive to abolish the system came from the government, and Parliament recommended its examination last year. It was also said that the plan's practice had hardly been enforced.
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Message from prisoner in China revealed on greeting card in UK: "Work us, help us"Under the system, the women's sentence was up to two years in prison (Photo: AFP)
Women in prostitution and clients arrested by Chinese police in raid in southern state, 2014 (Photo: AFP, official website)
The system was abolished not only because it was extra-judicial and China's attempt to promote a law-based society, but because those prisoners were abused in the rehabilitation facilities, which turned into profit-making ventures.
The Xinhua News Agency said the system, launched two decades ago, "played an important role in educating and rescuing those involved in prostitution and visiting prostitutes." However, in light of the ongoing criminal justice system reforms in the state, that separate system was already less and less appropriate. "Her historic role is complete," it said.
Women in prostitution and clients will continue to be punished, with up to 15 days in custody being fined 5,000 yuan.
In 2013, China abolished another extra-judicial punishment system, "re-education," through forced labor. The system, which was abolished following a string of serious misdemeanors, was suspended in 1957 and allowed police officers to send people who have committed minor offenses up to four years in prison without being tried in court.