www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Here we go again...
=============================
Bill seeks to punish solicitation in public areas

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


A presidential candidate has sponsored a proposed law that would fine prostitutes who seek clients on the street or other public places. The action is a step towards regulating adults engaged in the world's oldest profession.

The measure would fine prostitutes and those who solicit their business. At first, a fine is imposed, but for repeated violations, the proposed law calls for a jail term of up to three months.

The sponsor is Juan José Vargas Fallas, who, in addition to being a member of the Asamblea Legislativa, is the presidential candidate for the Partido Patria Primero.

The proposal covers both male and female prostitutes. In San José and more recently in Heredia passers-by have difficulty telling the difference because many of the street prostitutes are transvestites.

Some prostitutes are on the street because they are under the legal age of 18 and cannot enter some of the better known bars and clubs that serve as meeting places between prostitutes and their customers. Engaging the services of an und***ge prostitute is a serious crime in Costa Rica and punished by prison.
The proposed bill defines public places as the sidewalk, parks, streets, beaches and other areas where the public has daily access.
The goal of the bill is not to prohibit prostitution and certainly not legalize it as a routine labor category, according to a summary from the legislature. Instead, the idea is to exercise some regulation and control over these activities and prohibit them in public, said the summary.

Prostitutes can be seen on the street frequently in the evenings in much of the downtown area. But a recent appearance of transvestite prostitutes in the center of Heredia led to vocal citizen complaints and swift police action.

Vargas was quoted as saying his proposed law is the first initiative by the state to address prostitution between adults in this country.

The activity can be a violation of human rights and the illicit enrichment of individuals at the expense of others, he said, adding that prostitution promotes a style of life that involves drug addiction, violence and degradation of the human condition.

Prostitution is not prosecuted here, and this has led to Costa Rica getting a reputation as a prime sex tourism destination.

Hmmmm - I wonder how the walk to the Pres (or other hotels) is construed in this "Law". Maybe the DR is underwriting this Legislation to make sure all mongers dont leave the HDR.

_________________
A Costa Rica Toast:
Here's to Looking like Movie Stars, Partying like Rock Stars and phucking like PORN STARS!

I for one would be in favor of this legislatsion...as long as it doesnt lead to further limitations on the profession. I have always been for legalized and yes, licensed prostitution like they have in AMsterdam and elsewhere...to try and enhance safe practice of the profession and keep inherent crime surrounding it off the streets. Next, they should outlaw pandhandling in the streets also if they REALLY want to clean up the streets of Costa Rica. Of course that goes for many USA locations/cities as well...

i'm sure we all have been approached by more annoying beggars
than prostitutes on the streets

Only issue I really see is : Are those ladyboys going to be forced into the DR and the other places we frequent ?? It is nice to keep that general population outside.