This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-16047284

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
French move to ban prostitution by punishing clients French move to ban prostitution by punishing clients
(1 day later)
France's parliament is to debate abolishing prostitution through a crackdown which would criminalise payment for sex. France's parliament has backed a proposal to fight prostitution by making payment for sex a crime punishable by fines and prison.
The National Assembly will vote on a symbolic resolution drafted by a cross-party commission which, if successful, will be followed by a bill in January. The National Assembly approved by a show of hands a cross-party, non-binding resolution which is due to be followed by a bill.
The resolution urges abolition at a time when "prostitution seems to be becoming routine in Europe". Six-month prison sentences and fines of 3,000 euros (£2,580; $4,000) are envisaged for clients of prostitutes.
Some campaigners reject the bill, advocating prostitutes' rights instead.Some campaigners reject the bill, advocating prostitutes' rights instead.
Around 20,000 people are believed to be working as prostitutes in France.Around 20,000 people are believed to be working as prostitutes in France.
France has been committed to abolishing the practice in principle since 1960 but the MPs behind the resolution want this stance to be "proclaimed loud and strong". France has been committed to abolishing the practice in principle since 1960.
The criminalisation of clients is "the best way to see prostitution reduced in France, given that all the countries that have regulated this activity have seen an increase", the commission has argued. The resolution said the country should seek "a society without prostitution" and that sex work "should in no case be designated as a professional activity".
It urged abolition at a time when "prostitution seems to be becoming routine in Europe".
In 1999, the Swedish government brought in similar legislation to criminalise the buying of sex, while decriminalising its sale.In 1999, the Swedish government brought in similar legislation to criminalise the buying of sex, while decriminalising its sale.
'Unacceptable for everyone''Unacceptable for everyone'
Under existing French laws on prostitution, summed up by French Roman Catholic newspaper La CroixUnder existing French laws on prostitution, summed up by French Roman Catholic newspaper La Croix
  • France officially aspires to abolition but the act of prostitution itself is not a crime
  • Prostitution is only liable for prosecution when it troubles public order
  • A client faces prosecution only if the prostitute is under-age or "particularly vulnerable" because of illness etc
  • Pimping is punishable with a prison sentence of up to seven years, and there are some 1,000 convictions annually
  • France officially aspires to abolition but the act of prostitution itself is not a crime
  • Prostitution is only liable for prosecution when it troubles public order
  • A client faces prosecution only if the prostitute is under-age or "particularly vulnerable" because of illness etc
  • Pimping is punishable with a prison sentence of up to seven years, and there are some 1,000 convictions annually
According to Danielle Bousquet, the Socialist MP leading the drive for abolition, the new bill envisages six-month prison sentences and fines of 3,000 euros (£2,580; $4,000) for clients. Guy Geoffroy, an MP from the ruling UMP party who sits on the commission, said France's political parties had reached a consensus on the issue because it was a matter of "republican ethics".
Guy Geoffroy, an MP from the ruling UMP party who also sits on the commission, said France's political parties had reached a consensus on the issue because it was a matter of "republican ethics".
Nine out of 10 prostitutes were victims of trafficking, he said.Nine out of 10 prostitutes were victims of trafficking, he said.
"From now on prostitution is regarded from the point of view of violence against women and that has become unacceptable for everyone," Mr Geoffroy added."From now on prostitution is regarded from the point of view of violence against women and that has become unacceptable for everyone," Mr Geoffroy added.
Yves Charpenel, head of the Fondation Scelles group which fights human trafficking and also advocates criminalisation, said it was unclear whether the bill would eventually be adopted.
"There is no consensus yet on this subject," he said, according to AFP news agency.
"Will the deputies who vote for the abolitionist resolution then vote for its concrete application? More than ever, it is necessary to clarify the French position."
'Marginalised''Marginalised'
Contributing to the pressure for abolition, a French-led men's initiative known as ZeroMacho has published a manifesto against prostitution, gathering some 200 signatures across EU states. Another advocate of criminalisation, a French-led men's initiative known as ZeroMacho which was inspired by the historian and feminist Florence Montreynaud, has published a manifesto against prostitution, gathering some 200 signatures across EU states.
ZeroMacho member Jean-Sebastien Mallet told French women's website Terrafemina that it wanted to speak for "the vast majority of men - hitherto silent - who do not use prostitutes".ZeroMacho member Jean-Sebastien Mallet told French women's website Terrafemina that it wanted to speak for "the vast majority of men - hitherto silent - who do not use prostitutes".
However, France's sex workers' trade union, Strass, has called a rally outside parliament to oppose the proposed bill. However, France's sex workers' trade union, Strass, called a rally outside parliament to oppose the proposed bill.
It draws a clear distinction between consensual prostitution and sexual trafficking and fears that a reduction in clients might drive prostitutes to accept riskier transactions. Several dozen prostitutes and supporters gathered under placards reading "Sex Work is Work" and "Prostitution - No Repression - No Punishment - Rights!"
A letter to MPs signed by Strass and other groups accuses politicians of treating prostitutes as "marginals whose voice does not deserve to be heard". Punishing clients would "deprive prostitutes of work that provides them with a living, give clients more power over them and push prostitutes to turn to intermediaries to be able to work", said Sarah-Marie Maffesoli, a lawyer for Strass.
It calls for prostitutes to be given rights rather than penalising clients and thereby creating "more isolation and more clandestine behaviour". In a letter to MPs, it and other groups accused politicians of treating prostitutes as "marginals whose voice does not deserve to be heard".
Strass draws a clear distinction between consensual prostitution and sexual trafficking.
A man at the demonstration who described himself as a "client of sex-workers" said he was "against enslavement".
"If I thought that the prostitutes I know were being enslaved, I would no longer be a client," he told Reuters news agency.