Chinese urge end of sex worker detention system

BEIJING — Scores of legal experts and activists have written to China’s legislature calling for the abolition of a detention system that allows women arrested for prostitution to be locked up for two years without trial.

In the letter, the 109 signatories say the system is inconsistent with the rule of law because police can send the women to detention centers without the involvement of prosecutors or courts.

The administrative regulations governing the system —which is supposed to give sex workers “legal and moral education” — are not backed by law, it said.

The move comes amid stated attempts by the Communist Party to make the judicial system fairer.

One of the signatories, Liu Jianshu, said the letter had been sent by courier to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee on Monday.