Amnesty International voted in Dublin two weeks ago to support the decriminalization of prostitution worldwide. Amnesty joins the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, the World Health Organization, and other global groups that argue the best way to protect the safety of people who sell sex is to legalize the industry. However, there are vigorous and high profile opponents to the move. The exchange of money for such access does not eliminate the violence women face in the sex tradeβ¦.
Subscribe to NPQ's newsletters to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from NPQ and our partners. A petition launched on change. Former president Jimmy Carter has also urged Amnesty to be very careful before it changes its stance.
This is not about the rights of pimps or traffickers. Amnesty [is] very clear that there should remain very strict criminalization of trafficking and coercion. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand have already decriminalized prostitution. Critics of decriminalization suggest that in Germany, brothels multiplied after prostitution was decriminalized in Additionally, they point to the potential for trafficked victims. Other countries, led by Sweden in and including Iceland, Canada, Norway, and Northern Ireland, have adopted a policy of penalizing purchasers of sex.
They aim to stifle demand by handing out tough fines or prison sentences to johns but leave the sex workers in peace. Amnesty has reiterated its continuing opposition to human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of minors.
As the largest human rights organization in the world, they intend to use their new policy as a blueprint to lobby governments internationally. John is a consultant and trainer to nonprofits. His specialties are major gift fundraising, capital campaigns and business partnerships. John Godfrey has degrees in performing arts, management and marketing. He worked in festival and theatre management in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom before turning to fundraising.
