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Title
Impact of punitive laws, policies and practices on sex workers’ vulnerability to HIV and respect of their human rights
Code
MOSA42
Session Type
Non-Commercial Satellite
Venue
Hall 11B
Date Time
Monday 23 July, 14:45 - 16:45
Co-Chairs:
Ruth Morgan Thomas, Global Network of Sex Work Projects, United Kingdom
Luca Stevenson, International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe, Netherlands
Organizer:
Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP), International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE), Sex Workers' Rights Advocacy Network in EECA (SWAN), PROUD with support of AIDSFONDS

International health organisations have come to a consensus that removing punitive laws, policies and practices are crucial to sex workers’ health and well-being and would greatly contribute to reducing their vulnerability to HIV. While the terms used to describe legislative frameworks may be nuanced (legalisation, decriminalisation, and other repressive laws, policies and practices not specific to sex work such as drug policies, migration laws, etc.), the calls for reform are underpinned by shared objectives and principles that respect, protect and recognise sex workers’ human and labour rights. Six sex worker speakers from different regions will present various legal frameworks and policies and will provide recommendations on how legal reform could respect, protect and fulfil the rights of sex workers, thus reducing their vulnerability to HIV.

14:45
MOSA4201 		Introduction to Satellite. Overview of punitive laws, policies and practices and their impact on sex workers' vulnerability to HIV and respect of their human rights.
14:55
MOSA4202 		Brothel closures have had negative impacts on the sex worker community in Bangladesh and Indonesia whilst Indian brothels have been raided by the police more and more in recent years. Manjula Ramaiah will discuss the impact of these policies being implemented in the region and how these events fail to fulfil sex worker’s right to work and to just and favourable conditions of work.
Manjula Ramaiah, ASHODAYA, India
Slides
15:05
MOSA4203 		In April 2018, the United States passed FOSTA/SESTA, an ‘anti-trafficking’ law that criminalises online platforms used by sex workers for advertising and information sharing. Kelli Dorsey will describe the detrimental human rights impact of FOSTA/SESTA and other harmful laws and policies that have emerged from the conflation of sex work and trafficking, contextualising them within a broader context of mass incarceration and the policing and state oppression of marginalised communities.
Kelli Dorsey, St James Infirmary, United States
Slides
15:15
MOSA4204 		Criminalisation of same sex practices in Cameroon also impacts male sex workers and their organisations. In April 2018, Avenirs Jeune de l'Ouest was raided by authorities and their members detained. Francois Patrick Waffo Lele will present on the raids and detentions experienced by members of his organization and how the criminalization of same sex practices dangerously affect male sex workers.
Patrick Francois Waffo Lele, Avenir Jeune de l'Ouest, Cameroon
Slides
15:25
MOSA4205 		In 2012, Mexico passed a new law to combat human trafficking. This law directly criminalises any third parties and forces sex workers at the margins of society where they are more vulnerable to violence and HIV. Cynthia Navarette will present the situation in Mexico and how sex workers’ communities resist these legal oppressions
Cynthia Navarette, APROASE, Mexico
Slides
15:35
MOSA4206 		Whilst sex work is legal in Greece, the majority of sex workers, in particular trans and migrant sex workers, are criminalized. Anna Kouroupou will present the negative consequences of repressive legalization, including mandatory testing.
Anna Kouroupou, Red Umbrella Athens, Greece
PDF
15:45
MOSA4207 		In 2016, France implemented the criminalization of clients of sex workers in order to ‘end demand’ for sexual services and abolish prostitution. Two years later, sex workers face greater precarity and vulnerability to violence and HIV. Thierry Schaffauser will present on most recent findings from France and how sex workers continue resisting the call for their ‘abolition'.
Thierry Schaffauser, STRASS, French Union of Sex Workers, France
15:55
MOSA4208 		Q&A and presentation of recommendations by the global sex workers' rights movement.