Global rights group Amnesty International Tuesday voted in favor of decriminalizing the sex trade worldwide. A resolution passed by 400 delegates from 70 countries at group's International Council Meeting in Dublin recommends formation of a new policy that supports the full decriminalization of all aspects of consensual sex work, according to a statement. The vote also calls for the protection of sex workers' rights worldwide.
"Sex workers are one of the most marginalized groups in the world who in most instances face constant risk of discrimination, violence and abuse," Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said in the statement.
"Our global movement paved the way for adopting a policy for the protection of the human rights of sex workers which will help shape Amnesty International's future work on this important issue," said Shetty.
Our proposed policy on protecting #HumanRights of sex workers - here's what you need to know: https://t.co/FKxExT5hTP pic.twitter.com/mRVWLD7AyA
— AmnestyInternational (@amnesty) August 11, 2015
Amnesty International justified it's controversial decision claiming that its own research had suggested that decriminalization was the best way to defend the rights of sex workers, according to RT.
The global body, however, faced harsh criticism from women rights groups and anti-human trafficking bodies.
"Amnesty just lost its soul and it lost its legitimacy to call itself a human rights organisation," Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) spokeswoman Taina Bien-Aimé told Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Amnesty has sided with the sex industry."
The U.S.-based Coalition Against Trafficking in Women had earlier written an open letter to Amnesty carrying the names of Hollywood actresses Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emma Thompson strongly opposing the move, according to CNN.
"What we don't agree with is the decriminalization of pimps, buyers and brothel owners ... They are the ones which create demand," said Esohe Aghatise of women's rights group Equality Now, according to DW.
