Threat to switch off Amsterdam's red lights

[T_i_B]

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1712972,00.html

It is Saturday night and the sex shops and peep shows are busy. Drunken British men on stag nights, American tourists, loners with collars turned up, all cluster in front of the garishly lit windows to gawp, leer or negotiate with the barely dressed prostitutes behind the glass.

But the lights may soon go out in the windows next to Sexy Land, Chickita's Sex Paradise and the Yam Yam bar. Politicians expected to win power in next month's municipal elections have said that if the De Wallen quarter cannot be cleaned up, it should be shut down.

'If we have a choice of losing a tourist attraction or helping to end the abuse of women, I would rather lose the tourist attraction,' said Lodewijk Asscher, 31, new chief of the city's ruling Social Democrat Party. 'It should not be closed immediately but, if there is no reform, we should gradually try to diminish it.'

Asscher's policies, part of a manifesto for what is likely to be a successful election campaign, have sparked a fierce reaction. Opponents of the plan include defenders of Amsterdam's famous 'tolerance', while experts on human trafficking and representatives of sex workers are - perhaps predictably - divided.

[PDittie]

1. Meh

The tourists will still go for the hashish parlors, no?

[derby378]

2. Oh, there's still gonna be prostitution, regardless...

...only this time, it'll be in a hotel room or even a dark alley, and the hooker may even let you pay extra not to use a condom. Brace yourselves.

[saigon68]

3. More fools trying to regulate the worlds oldest profession

Idiots-- the next thing the cretins will say is


"ITS FOR THE CHILDREN"

[truthisfreedom]

4. what's next, the hash bars?

no more getting high in coffee shops?

[Ben Ceremos]

6. This is a red herring.

I live here,in the centrum of Amsterdam, and I can assure you Lodewijk Asscher did not suggest shutting down the Wallen. His quote was entirely misrepresented and taken out of context. He was asked about street prostitution and about human-trafficking in the service of prostitution. The latter practice has been associated with some disreputable brothels here in NL. Asscher said that if those brothels didn't reform, they would be targetted for closure based on court cases that establish such practices provide said business with employees. There remain forms of prostitution that are illegal in this country, believe it or not. Unregistered pro's are illegal sex-workers. They form a vector for the spread of disease and they are subject to considerable exploitation and violence, therefore they are a risk group and need to be managed or forbidden from practicing their trade.
As for the Wallen, or as it is popularly known The Red Light District, is in need of a facelift and a dose of reality for the sake of the locals. The junkies and troublemakers have gotten to be problematic and they are now being punished more frequently for their crimes. The dealers are a bigger problem because they are getting quite aggressive of late. But the Wallen is still a nice place to live, quiet, few cars, the canals have been tuckpointed and renewed and we are planting many new trees throughout the neighborhood. Come visit us sometime...
PS Such false news reports about the Dutch ending their tolerance for drugs, prostitution and the right to be yourself, etc. are intended to show that even we have our limits...but I assure you, they are not centered around these issues. Softdrugs and sex are a part of life as much as ham sandwiches and beer and bicycles, what gives the state the right to ban our using such? American anti-fun nonsense, if you ask me...peace

[Greyhound]

7. Thank you. Peace. n/t

[Ben Ceremos]

8. Your welcome.

And by the way, yesterday was our first "open day"in the Wallen. The public swarmed the place to check out the working quarters and the prostitutes answered questions about their work, etc. Wildly popular and successful event that will likely be repeated. Shut it down? Don't believe the hype...peace

[Greyhound]

9. So just how hard is it to immigrate there? I've read the official

requirements, but I suspect there are criteria that they would prefer not to publish.

[Ben Ceremos]

10. ?

I had no problems once I had proven compliance with requirements. Currently a language and assimilation course are among them. It takes 5 years before you become eligible for citizenship. Criteria for immigration include economic and legal demands, such as not taking a Dutch citizens job and not having a criminal background of any consideration. Minimum monthly bank balance and health insurance until eligible for socialized healthcare are also de rigeur. Most social services are available only to citizens and resident-aliens with proper permits. I fail to understand the undertone of your statement, I guess, but I am not a Nordic blonde as far as phenotype goes, if that means anything...?

[mdmc]

5. kick

for the info...