Turkey

  • Sex work is regulated by article 227 of the Turkish Penal Code (Law No. 5237); Annexed Article 13 of the Social Security Law and regulated by Articles 128 and 129 of the Public Health Law and General Regulations regarding Brothels and Prostitution and the Fight Against Venereal Disease) No: 30/03/1961.
  • These provisions entitle women to register as sex workers and allow brothels and strip clubs to be licensed and registered. 'Promoting prostitution' is a catch all provision that makes all sex work related activities outside of registered brothels, including selling sex, illegal. 
  • Non registered sex workers can be arrested and forcibly registered and delivered to a registered brothel. 
  • Registered sex workers pay taxes and social security, and submit to regular STI and HIV tests.
  • Sex workers must exchange their national ID card for a 'health card' that is stamped when they attend for medical examinations.   
  • Co-ercion of women into sex work is criminalised by Articles 435 and 436 of the Turkish Penal Code.
  • Most sex workers are not registered. Most women work illegally and sex workers rights activists have reported harassment, police violence and fines, penalties and extortion.
  • Government policy has become less favorable to the sex industry and licensed brothels are increasingly being closed
  • Buying sex is not illegal.
ISOCode: 
TR
Aspects: 
H: It is illegal to sell sex and organise commercial sex except where permission is given by a licensing authority that applies conditions such as health provisions and restrictions on how and where the person or business can operate (eg Senegal)
Characteristics: 
1: There are laws or regulations that require sex workers to undergo medical examination (e.g. Latvia)
8: Laws such as public disorder, vagrancy, loitering and state recognised religious provisions are used to prosecute women who sell sex. (e.g. Malaysia)