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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000392 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KWMN PREF KG
SUBJECT: Kyrgyz Women Debate Merits of Legalized Prostitution 
 
BISHKEK 00000392  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY:  The Women's Political Discussion Club, which wields 
increasing influence in Kyrgyz politics, held a heated discussion on 
prostitution in Kyrgyzstan and plans to raise the issue in 
Parliament.  Widely reported as an effort to "legalize" 
prostitution, it is, in fact, an effort to raise awareness of 
prostitution and possibly regulate the industry, which is not 
illegal in Kyrgyzstan.  The Club's efforts are noteworthy as the 
first widespread attempt to address a problem which is pervasive but 
largely ignored by mainstream Kyrgyz society.  END SUMMARY. 
 
PROSTITION: WIDESPREAD BUT UNADDRESSED IN KYRGYZSTAN 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶2. (U) Prostitution in Kyrgyzstan is not illegal, but there are 
three statutes which indirectly regulate prostitution.  The statutes 
forbid recruiting women into prostitution, corrupting minors, and 
opening a brothel.  The statutes are largely ineffective because the 
laws are seldom enforced and the fines are small.  Prostitution is 
widespread in Kyrgyzstan, with thinly-disguised brothels, called 
"saunas," on nearly every city block.  The classified ads in 
Kyrgyzstan's largest newspaper contain advertisements for over forty 
saunas, with names like "Romance," "Incognito," and "Mirage." 
Besides saunas, there are dozens of classified ads for so-called 
"relaxation" or "relaxing massage," which is prostitution in local 
parlance. 
 
DIVERSE GROUP DISCUSSES PROBLEM OF PROSTITUTION 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶3. (U) The Discussion Club meeting was attended by approximately 100 
representatives - male and female - of political parties, NGO's, 
mass media, sex workers, and the clergy.  The primary topic of 
discussion was police corruption and complicity in prostitution. 
Sex workers complained that the standard bribe that police demand 
from them has increased from 50 soms ($1.38) to 300 soms ($8.33) 
over the last year.  Police demand bribes often and arbitrarily, 
posing a threat to the sex workers' livelihoods.  Police often 
demand "subotniki," or free Saturdays at the saunas.  NGO 
representatives recalled a case when a pregnant sex worker was 
forced to provide free sexual services to a large group of students 
from the police academy.  A representative from Center for Police 
Reform vowed that he would investigate the incident if the victim 
files a formal complaint.  The most emotionally charged discussion 
centered on the role of religion in addressing societal ills and 
helping victims of prostitution.  The discussion leader expressed 
disappointment that the Mufti and the head of the Russian Orthodox 
Diocese turned down invitations to attend.  However, a 
representative of the Church of Jesus Christ said that AIDS was a 
punishment from God for the sin of prostitution and that the sin 
would be punished for ten generations.  The representative of the 
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community expressed a more tolerant view and his 
willingness to help ex-prostitutes rebuild their lives. 
 
¶4. (U) One outcome of the meeting is that a leader of the Social 
Democratic Party and member of Parliament, Bakyt Beshimov, vowed to 
raise the issue in Parliament.  Galina Kulikova, a deputy from the 
majority party, Ak Zhol, said that legalization would benefit sex 
workers by establishing a safe work place, trade unions, and regular 
medical care.  Somewhat inconsistently, she noted that legalized 
prostitution should include "tougher penalties for men who go to 
prostitutes."  It would appear Kulikova was referring to the 
so-called "Swedish model," in which it is legal to sell sex but not 
to buy sex. 
¶5. (SBU) Comment: The Women's Political Discussion Club, which was 
established in 2006 with support of the National Democratic 
Institute and is supported in part by a grant from the Democracy 
Commission of the U.S. Embassy, is unafraid to ask tough questions 
about the often-taboo topic of prostitution.  The Club has wielded 
its influence in the past in defeating a bill that would have 
legalized polygamy.  The Club is a good example of civil society in 
 
BISHKEK 00000392  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
action in Kyrgyzstan and of the role of strong, opinionated women in 
Kyrgyz society. 
YOVANOVITCH