Sir, – Amnesty International has called for the legalisation of prostitution. This represents a staggering change of emphasis in an organisation that was originally established to champion the rights of the powerless and the oppressed.
A study of 116 nations in 2012 demonstrated clearly that countries with legalised prostitution are associated with higher human traffic inflows than countries where prostitution is prohibited. This effect is markedly increased for democratic countries with higher average incomes. However, Sweden’s “Nordic model” of criminalising the purchase of sex (rather than targeting the prostitutes themselves) has resulted in a decline in the number of human trafficking inflows there.
Last November, Evangelical Alliance Ireland commended Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald for including the “Nordic model” in the proposed Criminal Law Sexual Offences Bill. It is ironic that while our Government is acting to reduce the scourge of human trafficking, Amnesty International is considering moves that would only serve to increase the numbers of people being trafficked. – Yours, etc,
NICK PARK,
Executive Director,
Evangelical Alliance Ireland,
Dublin 1.
Sir, – Amnesty International’s decisions (shrouded in pious sentiment) to advocate legislation to legalise brothels and pimps reneges on the true victims, the girls and women forced by circumstance to perform that so called work.
I don’t expect many men will stop confusing their vicarious wants with human rights any time soon – or, indeed, expecting destitute women to facilitate them in their delusions. But looking to have them legislated into something unremarkable is staggeringly offensive. – Yours, etc,
KAREN DUGGAN,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.