Dutch Minister scraps plans for 'hustler ID'

RNW archive

This article is part of the RNW archive. RNW is the former Radio Netherlands Worldwide or Wereldomroep, which was founded as the Dutch international public broadcaster in 1947. In 2011, the Dutch government decided to cut funding and shift RNW from the ministry of Education, Culture and Science to the ministry of Foreign Affairs. More information about RNW Media’s current activities can be found at https://www.rnw.org/about-rnw-media.

Security and Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten has scrapped plans to introduce a 'hustler ID' for prostitutes. The ID was to be introduced to combat illegal practices, such as underage prostitution, people trafficking and forced prostitution.

The idea received servere criticism from both the prostitution sector and parliament. Prostitutes feared the ID would force many of them underground or that their data could be misused.

Prostitutes would have been required to apply to the local council for a 'hustler ID' every three years. MPs rejected the proposals because they say registering prostitutes would only drive them into the illegal circuit.

Prostitution has been legal in the Netherlands since 2000.

(nc/hs)

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