Panama sex workers welcome decriminalization move

AN AMNESTY International (AI) resolution requesting the decriminalization of prostitution and all aspects of the sex trade, including pimping, has been welcomed by groups representing Panama prostitutes but  has stirred intense controversy with several world organizations.

The draft resolution was adopted at a meeting in Dublin (Ireland) with 400 delegates from 70 national sections of Amnesty, and is the result of two years of consultations. “The resolution recommends that Amnesty International develop a policy that supports the full decriminalization of all aspects of agreed sex trade” said the organization.

Its goal,said  Thomas Schultz-Jagow, communications director for Amnesty, is to “establish a legal framework within which all sex trade activities will be decriminalized”.

At the same time, the resolution insists that child prostitution, trafficking and forced prostitution should be pursued, and it should be ensured  that those who want to leave can. “It’s a historic day for Amnesty International. It was not an easy decision to take and we thank all our members around the world as well as the groups that we consulted”, said, Salil Shetty,AI Secretary General.

Convinced that “the criminalization of sex work between consenting adults can result in increased violations of sex workers”, the NGO advocates the decriminalization of prostitution.

The NGO will now now campaigns for prostitutes not to be pursued, nor clients or pimps and brothel managers that do not force women.

This is the point that has provoked more surprise.

In response, the Coalition against Trafficking Women (CATW), published an open letter signed by actresses like Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep, and 8500 other, claiming that Amnesty’s image would be “severely damaged” if the resolution is approved.

.The proliferation of legislation on prostitution in Europe shows that there is no consensus.

The Association for  Dignity and Rights of Women Panama (MDD) described the agreement as an  “historic achievement”.

“This resolution is a major step to reduce violence and discrimination suffered by sex workers” said  the Panamanian Association in a  public statement.

In Panama there is no standard which indicating that prostitution is illegal, but the Criminal Code does cover  pimping offenses with  prison penalties of four to six years reports La Prensa.