Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Cheng Li-wun’s (鄭麗文) proposal to decriminalize prostitution received a mixed reaction from legislators yesterday.
When asked for comment, KMT Legislator Yang Li-huan (楊麗環) said she had doubts about the possible impact on the nation’s traditional ethics.
“After all, there is a significant difference between the traditional morality in Taiwan and the West’s ideas about sex,” Yang said.
“If we abolish punishment for prostitutes, the bill could deal a blow to society,” she said.
KMT Legislator Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) said it would be very difficult for the legislature to pass the bill as legalizing prostitution remains a controversial issue.
The legislators were responding to a bill proposed by Cheng last week that would amend the existing law under which prostitutes are punished but their clients are not.
The Social Order Maintenance Act (社會秩序維護法) allows law enforcement authorities to detain prostitutes for a maximum of three days and fine them up to NT$30,000 (US$880).
Authorities also have the power to send prostitutes to correction institutions for a period of between six months and 12 months.
Cheng’s proposal seeks to abolish these regulations and to legalize sexual transactions between consenting adults.
Cheng, who had previously sent her legislative aides to probe the issue at the Collective of Sex Workers and Supporters, told reporters on Sunday that decriminalizing prostitution would help sex workers as current legislation makes it impossible for them to seek assistance from law enforcement authorities if they suffer violence, abuse or discrimination.
Her proposal garnered enough signatures for it to be discussed on the legislative floor.
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) on Sunday said legislators could hold public hearings to gauge public opinion on the issue.
KMT Legislator Lee Ching-hua (李慶華) said he supported the bill under the precondition that the government takes strict measures to manage the sex industry.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Lee Chun-yee (李俊毅) said the caucus has not taken a position on the issue.
“Different DPP legislators have different positions, and I think it will be hard to form a consensus on such a controversial issue,” Lee said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY RICH CHANG
A strong continental cold air mass is to bring pollutants to Taiwan from tomorrow, the Ministry of Environment said today, as it issued an “orange” air quality alert for most of the country. All of Taiwan except for Hualien and Taitung counties is to be under an “orange” air quality alert tomorrow, indicating air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. In China, areas from Shandong to Shanghai have been enveloped in haze since Saturday, the ministry said in a news release. Yesterday, hourly concentrations of PM2.5 in these areas ranged from 65 to 160 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m³), and pollutants were
Taiwan’s armed forces have established response protocols for a wide range of sudden contingencies, including the “Wan Chun Plan” to protect the head of state, the Ministry of Defense (MND) said today. After US President Donald Trump on Saturday launched a series of airstrikes in Venezuela and kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, concerns have been raised as to whether China would launch a similar “decapitation strike” on Taiwan. The armed forces regularly coordinate with relevant agencies and practice drills to ensure preparedness for a wide range of scenarios, Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) told reporters before a
EVA Airways on Saturday said that it had suspended a pilot and opened an investigation after he allegedly lost his temper and punched the first officer several times as their plane was taxiing before takeoff at Los Angeles International Airport. According to a report published on Thursday by The Reporter, the incident occurred after the flight’s Malaysian first officer tried to warn the Taiwanese pilot, surnamed Wen (文), that he was taxiing faster than the speed limit of 30 knots (55.6kph). After alerting the pilot several times without response, the first officer manually applied the brakes in accordance with standard operating
NOT AN OPENING: Trump’s violation of international law does not affect China’s consideration in attacking Taiwan; Beijing lacks capability, not precedent, an official said Taiwanese officials see the US’ capture of the president of Venezuela as a powerful deterrent to Beijing’s aggression and a timely reminder of the US’ ability to defeat militaries equipped with Chinese-made weapons. The strikes that toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signaled to authoritarian leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), US President Donald Trump’s willingness to use military might for international affairs core to US interests, one senior official in Taipei’s security circle said. That reassured Taiwan, the person said. Taipei has also dismissed the idea that Trump’s apparent violation of international law could embolden Beijing, said the official, who was not
RSS