DUSHANBE, June 10, 2014, Asia-Plus – The Interior Ministry is seeking population’s help in combating crimes against morality.

The Interior Ministry’s website reports that a hotline has been launched: 221-21-21.  Besides, information about crimes related to maintaining of a house of prostitution and trafficking in prostitutes may be sent to e-mail [email protected] or the Interior Ministry’s official website www.vkd.tj or www.mvd.tj .

We will recall that the Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda held an extraordinary meeting on June 5 to discuss issues related to prevention of crimes against morality such as prostitution, trafficking in prostitutes, sexual exploitation and trafficking in human beings.

According to the Interior Ministry press center, the minister expressed concern about increase in the number of these crimes in the country and ordered to make special raids to detain people involved in prostitution, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.  Such people will be included in the Interior Ministry’s electronic database.

The minister instructed police to compile a list of anyone who is detained in connection with prostitution, and to subject sex workers detained in police raids on brothels to compulsory medical tests for HIV/AIDS, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Rahimzoda also suggested that amendments should be made to the country’s family code to strengthen family ties and prevent divorces.

According to official figures, there were 189 illegal brothels in Tajikistan in 2013. That year, the Committee for Family and Women’s Affairs identified 41 women below the age of 18 working as street prostitutes.  The real number of sex workers, the committee admits, is much higher.