WUNRN
WUNRN
posts this release for the human rights, health, safety, and dignity of
THE GIRL CHILD.
Direct Link to Full 54-Page 2009
Report:
ASIA - MIND THE GAPS: A COMPARATIVE
ANALYSIS OF
ASEAN LEGAL RESPONSES TO CHILD-SEX
TOURISM
7/9/2009
Child Wise
Mind
the Gaps is the outcome of research into the laws of South East Asia relating
to child-sex tourism. Mind the Gaps examines all ten Member States of the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Brunei Darussalam, Burma,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam. This research was requested by our government partners to assist
national action and enable regional comparisons to enhance the legal response
to this abhorrent crime. As the first such comparative report, Mind the Gaps
will be useful for a range of stakeholders, including governments, law
enforcers, international agencies, NGOs, and academics.
Key Findings
· ASEAN Member States have ratified a number of relevant international treaties
to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. However, some
significant gaps remain.
· ASEAN Member States are party to a number of international and regional
instruments that enhance the policy and legal framework to protect children
from child-sex tourism.
· The Philippines is currently the only ASEAN Member State that expressly
mentions sex tourism in its legislation. However, the national laws of all
ASEAN Member States cover the major categories of sex offences against children
– albeit to varying degrees. In the absence of laws expressly criminalising
child-sex tourism, laws relating to sex offences against children are relevant
and must be strengthened and enforced.
· To improve the legal response to child-sex tourism, ASEAN Member States
should ensure national laws: fully align with relevant international
instruments; criminalise all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse; criminalise
sexual exploitation through new technologies; provide a consistent definition
of a child; criminalise acts that assist or facilitate child-sex tourism;
criminalise attempts and preparation to commit child child-sex offences;
strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation to ensure successful prosecution;
provide proportionate sentencing and appropriate sanctions; protect children
and other witnesses throughout all stages of investigations and legal
proceedings; and provide services and long-term support to child victims.
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