Decriminalize the Prostitutes, not Prostitution

international | rights, freedoms and repression | other press

Friday December 10, 2004 02:55

by Sisyphe

In an unprecedented gesture, around thirty personalities known for their social and political commitment asks the government of Canada to reject the decriminalization of prostitution claimed by certain groups and to take immediate measures to to put an end to the harassing of prostitutes and to the sexual trafficking which is practised in Canada.

In a letter made public on November 20, these persons ask the government of Canada, prior to any reform of the criminal code on the subjects of pimping, prostitution and solicitation, to launch a major study on all the consequences of decriminalizing prostitution, notably on the risks of an increase in local trafficking and sexual tourism. Because the policies on prostitution have a structuring effect on society as a whole and, therefore, on our collective future, we ask the government to also lead a vast public consultation on the subject.

«Decriminalize the Prostitutes, not Prostitution», by Elaine Audet and Micheline Carrier
Read full story.
http://sisyphe.org/article.php3?id_article=1407

News about the visas granted by Canadian immigration officers to foreign stripteasers, called "exotic dancers", made headlines across Canada. According to the Immigration Minister and the spokepersons of this ministry, "Canadian women do not want to work any more in this profession ". They argue that the "scarcity" of perfomers such as lapdancers could only be filled by recruiting women abroad and by granting them special visas. According to the Minister, "there are needs in the exotic dance industry" and the government has "the obligation to answer them.". Under cover of this spurious excuse, immigration officers worked hand in hand with organized crime to supply the owners of clubs with a constant renewal of foreign women to meet the alleged "needs" of the prosperous Canadian sex industry. The increasing importance of the recruitment of foreign stripteasers and their integration into local prostitution systems, puts Canada among the countries with the greatest participation in the world trafficking of women, according to several specialists who have studied these matters.

«Canada Contributes to the Sexual Trafficking of Women for Purposes of Prostitution», by Elaine Audet
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http://sisyphe.org/article.php3?id_article=1380

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