Amnesty International Votes in Favour of Decriminalizing Commercial Sex Trade

Amnesty International on Tuesday voted in favour of adopting a policy supporting the decriminalisation of prostitution. The organisation has since received widespread criticism for its stance.

According to F Word, the decision was taken at the human rights group’s International Council Meeting (ICM) in Dublin by a majority of the 400 delegates from 70 countries.

Speaking on the development, Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty, called it a historic move.

“Sex workers are one of the most marginalised groups in the world who in most instances face constant risk of discrimination, violence and abuse,” he said after the vote.

It was not a decision that was reached easily or quickly and we thank all our members from around the world, as well as all the many groups we consulted.”

In addition, Amnesty is petitioning for the decriminalisation of third parties involved in prostitution, such as pimps and brothel operators, alongside sex workers themselves.

Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty and AI) is a non-governmental organisation focused on human rights with over 7 million members and supporters around the world. The stated objective of the organisation is “to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated.