Directive No. 25/2003/CT-TTg on organizing the implementation of the Ordinance on Preventing and Combating Prostitution

 DIRECTIVE

Regarding the organization and implementation of the Prostitution Prevention Ordinance

The Prostitution Prevention Ordinance was approved by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on March 17, 2003, and took effect from July 1, 2003. To promptly organize and implement the Ordinance to prevent and eventually eliminate the social evil of prostitution, contributing to reinforcing societal standards, maintaining public order and safety, and protecting the health of the people, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs:

a) To take the lead and coordinate with the Ministries of Justice, Public Security, Health, Culture and Information, and other relevant ministries and agencies to draft and submit to the Government for promulgation a Decree detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Prostitution Prevention Ordinance, and to issue regulatory documents guiding the implementation of the Decree within their respective jurisdictions.

b) To coordinate with the Ministries of Public Security, Health, Culture and Information, Trade, Tourism General Department, and related agencies to amend or supplement business criteria and conditions for industries that can be exploited for prostitution activities; to establish a mechanism for regular inspection and combat against prostitution crimes.

c) To summarize, evaluate, draw lessons from, and promote effective models of prostitution prevention; to direct localities to integrate economic and social programs (vocational training, job creation, poverty reduction...) into their plans to prevent the emergence and spread of prostitution; to assist prostitutes in rehabilitation; to strengthen organizational structures and provide in-depth training for specialized staff involved in prostitution prevention.

d) To take the lead and coordinate with the Ministries of Trade, Health, Culture and Information, Tourism General Department, and other relevant ministries and agencies, and People's Committees at provincial and municipal levels to launch a "Month of Action to Implement the Prostitution Prevention Ordinance" in December 2003.

2. The Ministry of Public Security:

a) To direct police forces at all levels to intensify basic investigations into prostitution-related offenses; to closely cooperate with various sectors and mass organizations to mobilize community efforts to implement measures to prevent and combat prostitution at the grassroots level.

b) To strengthen efforts to crack down on and dismantle networks and groups organizing and brokering prostitution, trafficking women and children for prostitution purposes; to eliminate prostitution hotspots; to direct commune and district police officers to assist the Chairpersons of People's Committees at the same level in preparing files to send prostitutes to treatment facilities according to the Administrative Violations Handling Ordinance; to coordinate with related agencies to inspect, audit, and strictly handle violations of the Ordinance.

3. The Ministry of Culture and Information shall direct information, press, and cultural arts agencies to widely publicize the objectives and contents of the Ordinance, measures to deal with prostitution and related offenses under the law. To strengthen management of cultural products and strictly handle acts of disseminating pornographic tapes, discs, pictures, and films.

4. The Ministry of Health shall study and amend or supplement licensing conditions and standards for massage and sauna services; to intensify inspections and handle violations; to coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to develop materials and provide counseling on safe sex, and guide diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases for prostitutes in treatment facilities.

5. The Ministry of Justice shall be responsible for compiling publicity materials on the Prostitution Prevention Ordinance and plan to widely disseminate its contents to legal institutions under central ministries and departments and provincial Departments of Justice to promote awareness throughout society.

6. The Ministry of Education and Training shall develop and implement plans to widely publicize and disseminate the Prostitution Prevention Ordinance among students and trainees to enhance understanding and active participation in preventive and combat efforts against prostitution. To research and develop and introduce gender education programs in schools.

7. The Ministry of Defense shall direct border guard forces to cooperate with local authorities in border communes and public security forces to strengthen the prevention of prostitution along border areas; to detect and dismantle networks trafficking women and children abroad.

8. The Ministry of Finance shall ensure and guide the use of funds for this work within the regular budget of ministries, departments, and localities.

9. People's Committees at all levels, especially those in areas where prostitution is prevalent, shall implement publicity and dissemination of the Ordinance's contents; to assess the situation of prostitution and develop specific prevention plans; to manage and educate at commune, ward, and town levels persons involved in prostitution and related offenses according to the law; to strictly handle organizations and individuals who are negligent in allowing prostitution to occur in their jurisdiction.

10. To request the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and its member organizations (Youth, Women, Trade Union...) to direct their levels to widely publicize the Prostitution Prevention Ordinance to all strata of the population, ensuring correct understanding of its contents; to closely cooperate with ministries, departments, and local authorities to promote campaigns to build healthy communes, units without social evils. To mobilize the whole people to denounce and report violations related to prostitution, combining education and assistance to prostitutes to help them reform.

11. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of agencies under the Government, and Chairmen of People's Committees at provincial and municipal levels shall strictly implement this Directive. To annually summarize the implementation of the Directive and report to the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs.