Dublin: The Council of Europe has urged for a human rights-centred approach towards sex work, as part of its critique of Ireland’s legislation criminalising the purchase of sexual services. The human rights commissioner, Dunja Mijatovic, emphasised that such laws in Ireland inadvertently promote violence against sex workers.
In contrast, the commissioner highlighted Belgium’s pioneering 2022 law, which decriminalises sex work and grants sex workers essential employment rights. Belgium’s legislation ensures regulation of working conditions, payment, and the right to refuse clients. Additionally, it mandates the installation of emergency buttons in all workspaces, prioritising the safety of sex workers.
Notably, Belgium’s law extends exemptions to third parties involved in sex work activities, such as brothel operators, landlords, and advertisers. This comprehensive approach aims to empower sex workers by allowing them to operate legally, including advertising their services and accessing basic services like banking and housing.
Conversely, Ireland’s Sexual Offences Act of 2017 criminalises paying for sex, creating barriers for sex workers to access essential services and exposing them to increased risks of violence and exploitation. The legislation also targets third parties involved in sexual work activities.
The commissioner stressed the necessity of upholding human rights principles, asserting that consensual adult activities should not be criminalized. Criminalisation not only hampers the rights of sex workers but also perpetuates stigma and isolation, forcing them into vulnerable positions.
The report underscores the importance of distinguishing consensual adult sex work from issues like violence against women and human trafficking. It calls for strengthened laws to protect sex workers from violence, exploitation, and trafficking while advocating for the decriminalisation of their work to mitigate stigma and enhance their safety and well-being.
The Council of Europe (CoE) is the leading organisation working in the fields of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Founded in 1949, the organisation has 46 members, including Britain. Emphasises the urgent need to adopt policies that safeguard the rights and dignity of all individuals, including sex workers.
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