Op-Ed Contributors

Debate: Prostitution

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-31 07:50
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Prostitution should never be legalized

Liu Wenyan

Some sex-related incidents have got a lot of press recently. A prostitution racket, run by underworld gangs was busted in Chongqing, a college professor was exposed for organizing group sex parities in Nanjing, a survey revealed the sexual frustrations of migrant workers in Guangdong, and Heaven Earth Nightclub in Beijing was closed for being a front for prostitution. These and some other incidents have sparked a public debate on legalizing prostitution.

A former official, who played a key role in banning prostitution and rehabilitating women in the early days of the People's Republic of China (PRC), said it was good to see Beijing close down the "vice dens" that ran prostitution rackets before the 2008 Olympic Games. But prostitution has returned to the capital, which ironically is called the "civilized city".

China's Criminal Law and the Law of Protection of Rights and Interests of Women prohibit people from running a sex racket, or forcing or seducing women into prostitution. I think prostitution has become a problem because local governments haven't taken adequate measures to stop the spread of pornographic material, gambling and drug abuse. Worse, some local officials are in cahoots with gangs that run prostitution rackets.

The contention that prostitution comes with national prosperity is ridiculous. Instead, government organizations at all levels should crack down on gangs running prostitution rackets, because prostitution is a violation of women's rights and dignity. Women have to be educated, too, so that they do not fall prey to such gangs.

The PRC believes in and practices socialism in which power belongs to the people. The new democratic system respects and guarantees human rights. According to the Constitution, the freedom and personal dignity of PRC's citizens are inviolable. Citizens are at liberty to exercise or renounce their rights, but under no circumstances can they violate other people's rights.

Legalizing prostitution will infringe upon the personal dignity of women and belittle their status in society. There is, in fact, no place for prostitution in the socialist system with Chinese characteristics.

The PRC values the rule of law, which demands that all activities be in keeping with the Constitution. The task of the law is to protect national security and the socialist system. And anyone who breaks the law should be punished accordingly.