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SEX WORK SHOULD BE LEGALIZED IN ARMENIA: HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE
epress.am
03.22.2012
Sex work and brothels in Armenia should be legalized, as a result
of which several issues connected to human rights would be resolved,
says Mikael Danielyan, head of the Yerevan-based Helsinki Association
for Human Rights.
Speaking to Epress.am, Danielyan said that often it is law enforcement
officials who are at sex workers' back and if the industry was
legalized corruption risks could be avoided. Legalization would
also allow those working in the industry to form trade unions, as
is the case in some countries, and it would be possible to defend
the rights of sex workers. Furthermore, legalization would allow for
safer services as sex workers could undergo routine check-ups without
the stigma attached to their profession.
According to Danielyan, though sex work is subject to administrative
responsibility and pimping (soliciting), to criminal accountability,
the industry is blooming in Armenia, being a widespread underground
business. The human rights advocate finds that at least for this reason
it would be good to legalize the industry - making it controllable
and respectable, because, all the same, a large number of men in
Armenia use the services of sex workers and prohibition basically
is a formality as it's not possible to eradicate the world's oldest
profession.
Sex workers are fined 1,000 drams for accepting money the first time
they're caught and 2,000 drams, the second time, Danielyan said, but
in July, these administrative penalties will be increased to 20,000
drams for a first-time offense and 40,000 for a second. This might
lead to sex workers raising their rates, Danielyan added.
Though many organizations in Armenia work toward protecting the rights
of sex workers, the issues are many, he said.
"Sex workers are often forced to become a tool in the hands of law
enforcement bodies, informers, so that they can work without problems.
Sex workers are arrested, but more often arrested are the "Mama Rosas,"
who sometimes are unable to reach an agreement with those watching
their back. It's known that there are different types of sex work -
street walkers and call girls, who are more expensive and elite. But
for the most part, the latter's rights are protected," he said.
In Danielyan's opinion, sex work won't be legalized under the current
government and this is also tied to the way of thining of Armenian
society today. However, even if there are liberals or democrats in
Armenia's government, almost nothing will change because the ideology
of most of them is likewise nationalistic, which doesn't provide for
publicly raising such issues.
"Most likely, there won't be a deputy who will raise this issue;
they would be embarrassed, since according to the national mentality,
it's not acceptable to say this could be legalized," he said, adding
that the issue always will remain current because it directly relates
to the protection of human rights.
Recall, two days ago, Epress.am published an article stating that a
website was launched in Armenia in which sex workers are offering
their services and which has become a topic of discussion both in
the media and on social networking sites. The Armenian police has
announced that it is looking whether the site's activities are in
violation of the country's constitution or not.
epress.am
03.22.2012
Sex work and brothels in Armenia should be legalized, as a result
of which several issues connected to human rights would be resolved,
says Mikael Danielyan, head of the Yerevan-based Helsinki Association
for Human Rights.
Speaking to Epress.am, Danielyan said that often it is law enforcement
officials who are at sex workers' back and if the industry was
legalized corruption risks could be avoided. Legalization would
also allow those working in the industry to form trade unions, as
is the case in some countries, and it would be possible to defend
the rights of sex workers. Furthermore, legalization would allow for
safer services as sex workers could undergo routine check-ups without
the stigma attached to their profession.
According to Danielyan, though sex work is subject to administrative
responsibility and pimping (soliciting), to criminal accountability,
the industry is blooming in Armenia, being a widespread underground
business. The human rights advocate finds that at least for this reason
it would be good to legalize the industry - making it controllable
and respectable, because, all the same, a large number of men in
Armenia use the services of sex workers and prohibition basically
is a formality as it's not possible to eradicate the world's oldest
profession.
Sex workers are fined 1,000 drams for accepting money the first time
they're caught and 2,000 drams, the second time, Danielyan said, but
in July, these administrative penalties will be increased to 20,000
drams for a first-time offense and 40,000 for a second. This might
lead to sex workers raising their rates, Danielyan added.
Though many organizations in Armenia work toward protecting the rights
of sex workers, the issues are many, he said.
"Sex workers are often forced to become a tool in the hands of law
enforcement bodies, informers, so that they can work without problems.
Sex workers are arrested, but more often arrested are the "Mama Rosas,"
who sometimes are unable to reach an agreement with those watching
their back. It's known that there are different types of sex work -
street walkers and call girls, who are more expensive and elite. But
for the most part, the latter's rights are protected," he said.
In Danielyan's opinion, sex work won't be legalized under the current
government and this is also tied to the way of thining of Armenian
society today. However, even if there are liberals or democrats in
Armenia's government, almost nothing will change because the ideology
of most of them is likewise nationalistic, which doesn't provide for
publicly raising such issues.
"Most likely, there won't be a deputy who will raise this issue;
they would be embarrassed, since according to the national mentality,
it's not acceptable to say this could be legalized," he said, adding
that the issue always will remain current because it directly relates
to the protection of human rights.
Recall, two days ago, Epress.am published an article stating that a
website was launched in Armenia in which sex workers are offering
their services and which has become a topic of discussion both in
the media and on social networking sites. The Armenian police has
announced that it is looking whether the site's activities are in
violation of the country's constitution or not.