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Lawmaker calls for legalizing prostitution

A member of the House of Representatives has raised objections to the interior ministry's proposal to punish men who use prostitutes.

Movie and theater actor Henadz Davydzka said on Wednesday that the measure would be ineffective and violate the rights of prostitutes' clients, as quoted by BelaPAN.

"In addition, the adoption of the measure would prompt the business to further move into the shadow economy and girls who work as prostitutes would become even more vulnerable and defenseless, while the cost of their services will rise many times," Mr. Davydzka said.

He referred to a Soviet-era ban on alcohol sales, which proved inefficient.

"I share the intention to fight the vicious business, but it has existed for thousands of years and no society has managed to prevail in its fight against it," he stressed. "That's why prostitution should most likely be legalized so that sex workers yield revenues to the treasury instead of feeding the shadow economy and the underworld."

The lawmaker said that crime rates have been falling in countries where prostitution has been legalized.

Belarusian society is ready for decriminalizing prostitution, making the business subject to control, according to the lawmaker.

"When I discussed the subject with members of parliament, I realized that many share my stance," Mr. Davydzka said.