Prostitution in Kazakhstan

Prostitution in Kazakhstan is itself legal, but acts facilitating prostitution, such as operating a brothel or prostitution ring, are illegal.[1] Forced prostitution and prostitution connected to organised crime are prohibited. Prostitution is a serious problem. NGOs reported that criminal prostitution rings often included local law enforcement officials.[1][2]

Estimates of the number of prostitutes in Kazakhstan vary from 4,000[3] and 25.000,[2] including a number from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.[3]

Sex workers often face harassment, extortion, arbitrary arrest, rape and violence from the police.[4]

HIV testing is mandatory for male sex workers, however in practice female sex workers are also forced to have the test. Any sex worker who continues to offer services after a positive test could be prosecuted for the deliberate spreading of an infection.[4]

  1. ^ a b "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Kazakhstan". US Department of State. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b Aliya (28 August 2007). "Prostitution in Kazakhstan: abuse and risk". SWAN. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference eurasianet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference spl was invoked but never defined (see the help page).