Prostitution in Bhutan
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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
Prostitution is illegal in Bhutan{{cite web|title=The Legal Status of Prostitution by Country|url=http://chartsbin.com/view/snb|website=ChartsBin|access-date=20 January 2018}} but in many of Bhutan's border towns there are people openly practising in the sex trade.{{cite news|title= Unbridled flesh trade in the border town|work= Bhutan Times|url= http://www.bhutantimes.bt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2765&Itemid=9|access-date=18 September 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120331021935/http://www.bhutantimes.bt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2765&Itemid=9 |archive-date=31 March 2012 }}{{cite news|title= Sex, sleaze and the city|work= Bhutan Observer|url= http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/sex-sleaze-and-the-city/|access-date=18 September 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120403031121/http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/sex-sleaze-and-the-city/ |archive-date= 3 April 2012 }} Prostitution mainly occurs in bars, clubs and hotels. Some of the sex workers are employed by bar and hotel owners to attract customers. Prostitution also occurs in the capital, Thimphu.
There are thought to be 400–500 sex workers in the country, many from poor backgrounds, who enter prostitution for financial reasons.{{cite web|last1=Pem|first1=Damchoe|title=400 to 500 possible sex workers in Bhutan - The Bhutanese|url=http://thebhutanese.bt/400-to-500-possible-sex-workers-in-bhutan/|website=The Bhutanese|access-date=20 January 2018|date=29 July 2017}}
In 2017, the NGO Lhak-Sam proposed that sex work was legalised by the government, but the proposal was turned down.{{cite web|last1=Wangmo|first1=Lucky|title=Govt shoots down proposal to legalize sex industry – Business Bhutan|url=http://www.businessbhutan.bt/businessbhutan/govt-shoots-down-proposal-to-legalize-sex-industry/|website=Business Bhutan|access-date=20 January 2018|date=5 July 2017}}
Sex trafficking is a problem in the country.
Sex tourism
Bhutan is becoming{{When|date=October 2019}} a destination for sex tourism for people from the West and India.{{cite web|last1=Dema|first1=Kinga|title=Sex tourism, an emerging vulnerablity{{sic|hide=y}}|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/sex-tourism-an-emerging-vulnerablity/|website=Kuensel|access-date=20 January 2018|date=12 December 2015}} Some high-end prostitutes are involved, tourists being more likely to be able to afford their fees. Some of the tourists are looking for sex with boys and girls. The Guides Association of Bhutan report some tourists ask for female 'guides' to accompany them during their stay in the country.{{Cn|date=October 2019}}
Legislation
The Penal Code of Bhutan criminalises prostitution:{{cite web|title=Penal Code of Bhutan|url=http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/bt/bt019en.pdf|publisher=Royal Government of Bhutan|access-date=20 January 2018|date=2004}}
Chapter 26 - Prostitution and Related Offences
- Prostitution
:373. A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of prostitution, if the defendant offers, agrees to engage, or engages in sexual conduct with another person for money or property.
- Grading of Prostitution
:374. The offence of prostitution shall be a misdemeanour.
- Promotion of prostitution
:375. A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of promotion of prostitution, if the defendant:
::(a) Owns, leases, controls, manages, supervises a brothel or otherwise keeps a prostitution business;
::(b) Procures a person for a house of prostitution;
::(c) Encourages, induces, or otherwise purposely causes another to become or remain as a prostitute;
::(d) Solicits a person to patronise a prostitute;
::(e) Procures a prostitute for a patron;
::(f) Requires a prostitute to give a part or all of the money or property received as a result of the prostitution.
- Grading of Promotion of prostitution
:376. The offence of promotion of prostitution shall be:
::(a) A misdemeanour;
::(b) A felony of the fourth degree, if the person used for prostitution is a child of above 12 years and below 18 years; or
::(c) A felony of the third degree, if the person used for prostitution is a child of 12 years and below.
- Patronising a prostitute
:377. A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of patronising a prostitute, if the defendant gives money, property, or other gratification to engage in sexual act.
- Grading of Patronising a prostitute
:378. The offence of patronising a prostitute shall be:
::(a) A misdemeanour;
::(b) A felony of the fourth degree, if the person used for prostitution is a child of above 12 years and below 18 years; or
::(c) A felony of the third degree, if the person used for prosecution is a child of 12 years and below.
- Trafficking a person for prostitution
:379. A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of trafficking a person for prostitution, if the defendant transports, sells or buys a person into or outside of Bhutan with the purpose of engaging that person in prostitution.
- Grading of trafficking a person for prostitution
:380. The offence of trafficking a person for prostitution shall be a felony of the:
::(a) Third degree;
::(b) Second degree, if the person is a child of above 12 years and below 18 years;
::(c) First degree, if the person is a child of 12 years and below.
Sex trafficking
Bhutan is a source and destination country for women and children vulnerable to sex trafficking. Bhutanese girls, working as domestic servants and entertainers in drayungs or karaoke bars, may be subjected to sex trafficking, coerced by debt and threats of physical abuse.{{cite web|title=Bhutan 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report|url=https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2017/271148.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703181135/https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2017/271148.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 July 2017|website=U.S. Department of State}}{{PD-notice}}
The United States Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons ranks Bhutan as a 'Tier 2 Watch List' country.{{cite web |title=Bhutan 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report |url=https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2018/282615.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729171328/https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2018/282615.htm |url-status=dead|archive-date=29 July 2018 |website=U.S. Department of State |access-date=29 July 2018}}
References
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External links
- [https://buoyantfeet.com/2017/02/01/drayang-the-dark-secret-of-bhutan/ Drayang- The Dark Secret of Bhutan]
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