LONDON, (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Amnesty International voted yesterday to endorse a contentious plan to support the decriminalisation of sex work, a move that will lead to pressure on governments by the prominent rights group not to punish millions of sex workers worldwide.
“Sex workers are one of the most marginalized groups in the world who in most instances face constant risk of discrimination, violence and abuse,” Salil Shetty, the organisation’s secretary general, said in a statement.
“Our global movement paved the way for adopting a policy for the protection of the human rights of sex workers which will help shape Amnesty International’s future work on this important issue.”
Amnesty said it took the decision after two years of consultation and research, drawing on evidence from U.N. agencies and the findings of research missions to Argentina, Hong Kong, Norway and Papua New Guinea.
The group has come under attack by women’s rights campaigners and Hollywood stars, including Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson, since a draft of its proposed policy was leaked.
Amnesty defended its new policy, saying it was the best way to defend sex workers’ human rights and reduce the risk of abuse including beatings, sexual violence, arbitrary arrest, extortion, harassment, human trafficking and forced HIV testing.
It added that the policy had been shaped by discussions with sex worker groups, HIV/AIDS activists, groups representing former prostitutes and anti-trafficking agencies among others.
