In France, the debate on the criminalization of clients of prostitution could be revived by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The latter considers admissible the request of nearly 260 sex workers who challenge the 2016 law.
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These prostitutes had seized, as a last resort, the Court in 2019, considering that this text, which penalizes customers, was an attack on their rights and security. This represents a milestone victory for the applicant associations. It is also a first success, because only 10% of applications addressed to the ECHR are declared admissible. And also because the Court immediately recognizes the effects of the 2016 law on prostitutes in France.
” She has thus recognized that sex workers have the quality of victims, because this induces clandestinity and isolation. This is a case important enough to be decided on its merits. “, Says Sarah-Marie Maffesoli, referent “sex workers” at Doctors of the world.
The number of customers has plummeted
Since the law of 2016, the number of customers has logically collapsed. But more and more sex workers are trying to survive by taking more risks. Giovana Rincon, director of an association that accompanies trans prostitutes, often undocumented foreigners, explains:
” Precariousness forces some people to sometimes accept unprotected sex so as not to let customers leave. Today, we are forced to accept everything and anything. »
Associations will still have to wait many months before the ECHR says whether or not the 2016 law is an infringement of the European Convention on Human Rights.
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