Subject: NEWS:Holland:Green light for brothels
From: Jyothi Kanics (jkanics@igc.apc.org)
Date: Thu Feb 04 1999 - 10:13:38 EST
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_270000/270814.stm
Tuesday, February 2, 1999 Published at 23:22 GMT
World: Europe
Green light for brothels
Brothels in Holland are set to be legalised for the first
time since 1912.
The lower house of the Dutch parliament voted
overwhelmingly to legalise the country's estimated 2,000
brothels.
Until now prostitution has been legal
but brothels have only been 'tolerated'
- officially illegal but not prosecuted.
Prime Minister Wim Kok said the
move would bring social benefits,
make it harder for criminals to use
sex clubs as a cover and make it harder for illegal
immigrants seeking work.
The opposition Christian Democrats and three small
religious parties voted against the draft law.
The bill now goes before the upper house, which is
usually a formality, and is expected to become law next
year.
If the upper house does rubber stamp the vote then
brothels will be treated exactly the same as any other
business.
They will also be required to meet safety requirements
and register staff.
Protecting minors
According to the Dutch Government, lifting the ban on
brothels will strip from the world's oldest profession the
evils of drugs crime, trafficking in women and smuggling
of firearms.
The prison sentence for exploiting minors will be raised
to six years from one.
Brothel keepers welcomed official recognition of their
business but were suspicious that the government would
begin a drive against foreign workers.
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