4. Netherlands (Amsterdam)

4. Netherlands (Amsterdam)
§ The Mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen, has admitted that the policy of legalization has been a failure and has instituted a reversal. He stated that organized crime dominated the industry in which sex trafficking, exploitation, drug abuse and money laundering was rife. The influence of organized crime on the city centre was a growing one. One third of the brothel windows have been bought out and replaced with fashion boutiques. Permits have been withdrawn from dozens of sex businesses including the well known Yab Yum brothel and Casa Rosso Theatre who reportedly had links to organized crime. Rafts of new restrictions on other aspects of the sex trade are being introduced.
§ Tolerance zones set up for street prostitution have also proved a failure. In 2003 the Central Amsterdam Tipplezone (pick-up area), established for street prostitutes in 1995 as a way to control the problems associated with prostitution such as drug-dealing, trafficking and violence, was closed. The Mayor admitted that it had become a haven for traffickers, drug dealers and unsafe for women. The Tipplezone in Rotterdam was closed for similar reasons.
§ The National Association of Dutch Sex Companies has reportedly complained by way of a letter to the Minister of Justice that banks no longer want to do business with them as they do not want to be associated with firms that may be involved in money laundering and human trafficking. The letter says the banks intend to close existing accounts and refuse to open new ones