China scraps extra-judicial forced labour for sex workers

 

Past detainees claim they were forced to work making toys and household goods. AFP

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's parliament abolished on Saturday an extra-judicial system of forced labour used to punish sex workers and their clients for up to two years, but it stressed that prostitution remains illegal.

 

China banned prostitution after the Communist revolution in 1949, but it returned with a vengeance after landmark economic reforms began in the late 1970s, despite periodic crackdowns.

 

The official Xinhua news agency said China's largely rubber-stamp legislature had voted to scrap the "custody and education" system. It said the decision would be effective from Sunday, when all those currently held in detention under the system would be released.

 

State media said the instruction to do away with the system had come from the Cabinet and parliament had recommended a review last year, noting that the programme was increasingly not being applied in practice.

 

It had come in for criticism not only for its extra-judicial nature, as China seeks to promote a more law-based society, but also because of abuses such as the supposed rehabilitation facilities being run as profit-making ventures.

 

Xinhua said that when the system was instigated two decades ago it had "played an important role in educating and rescuing those involved in prostitution and visiting prostitutes".

 

But as the country continues to deepen legal reforms and the criminal system, the "custody and education" programme was less and less appropriate, it added.

 

"The custody and education system's historical role had already been completed. This is an important manifestation of strengthening social management using rule of law thinking and methods," the news agency said.

 

Prostitution remains illegal, however, with punishments of up to 15 days in detention and fines of up to 5,000 yuan ($714.76), Xinhua said.

 

In 2013, China scrapped another controversial forced labour statute - the re-education through labour system.

 

That decision followed several high-profile miscarriages of justice, including a case where a woman was sent to a labour camp after demanding justice for her daughter who had been raped.

 

The re-education through labour system, which began in 1957, had empowered police to sentence petty criminals to up to four years in detention without going through the courts.

 

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Helen Popper)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-29

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Mis read the title thought they were forcing them to have sex,instead they are making toys it did not say what kind though.

A step in the right direction.  An ancient society should know more about the world's oldest profession.  

Concubines were part of the culture for centuries.

 

53 minutes ago, marko kok prong said:

Mis read the title thought they were forcing them to have sex,instead they are making toys it did not say what kind though.

Do you expect accuracy from Thai media, LOL.

They are buying up Hin Hin as we speak!

 

 

One would think that a country with such a large unmarried male population would embrace prostitution to maintain peace and harmony.

I heard they were being forced to use their unique skills to pack sausages for Tesco.

1 minute ago, DoctorG said:

One would think that a country with such a large unmarried male population would embrace prostitution to maintain peace and harmony.

Oh they have embraced it alright, it is just another illegal activity.

 

48 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

Concubines were part of the culture for centuries.

 

Wonder if any Chinese woman can say no to the local head communist or above ? I have to doubt it very much.

 

Reuters are getting desperate it would seem. Two articles reproduced from Chinese Commie media today. ????

 

Expats in Issan will be falling off their barstools in dismay.

Edited December 29, 20196 yr by Traubert
Clarification.

As with drugs, the authorities and elite can make much more money off prostitution if it stays illegal.

15 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

They are buying up Hin Hin as we speak!

 

 

There buying up Asia as we speak.

Perhaps human trafficking is considered a business too lucrative to ignore.

 

 

17 hours ago, DoctorG said:

One would think that a country with such a large unmarried male population would embrace prostitution to maintain peace and harmony.

Oh they have embraced it alright, it is just another illegal activity.

 

Sun Tzu said many centuries ago that there is very little requirement to actually invade a country to conquer it, use money (take over their economy ) drugs and sex (parphrasing an entire theory of war) then march in.

Perhaps the workers are being re-educated for relocation?

 

 

Sun Tzu said many centuries ago that there is very little requirement to actually invade a country to conquer it, use money (take over their economy ) drugs and sex (parphrasing an entire theory of war) then march in.

Perhaps the workers are being re-educated for relocation?

 

 

I wouldent mind errrr re educating some of the lady’s but I don’t think the wife would approve

22 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

They are buying up Hin Hin as we speak!

Gosh, didn't know China working girls were such venturesome property investors.  Usually, from what I have been told from others of course, they go back to their village and buy a house, car and start a business once they have accumulated enough money. 

 

Was in Saigon last week.  It looks like it will overtake Bangkok within 5 years.   There is just so much more energy and hope than in Bangkok .

Sending them to labour camps is just the wrong kind of punishment.

What they need is a good spanking.