Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-06-12-Speech-1-080"
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"en.20060612.16.1-080"2
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".
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, forced prostitution nowadays forms an integral part of the sex industry at global level. That is why we have decided to question the European Commission again by putting to it the oral question that has been passed to you. Furthermore, I should like to emphasise three points.
The first is a matter of semantics. Speaking of forced prostitution is a euphemism. This expression conveys the idea that there is such a thing as voluntary prostitution among women who like to be exploited and to sell their bodies. These words, however, conceal the reality. Even if it is decriminalised, prostitution, whether forced or not, remains a crime against women and against humanity as a whole.
Forced prostitution deserves to be openly condemned. Mr Blatter, the president of FIFA, has not understood this, any more than other influential men and women. Why did they not support condemnation of forced prostitution during the football World Cup?
By contrast, I must emphasise the excellent collaboration demonstrated by the members of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. Overcoming political divisions, our collective collaboration has been inspired by the profoundly human feeling that no woman should be exploited. Together, I must emphasise this, we gave a clear signal at the time of the demonstrations on 8 March, thanks to the ‘Red Card for Forced Prostitution’ campaign. I invite all of you, Commissioners, representatives of the Council and Members of the European Parliament, to show a red card to all those who encourage forced prostitution by their silence, by failing to take action or by their direct or indirect involvement.
Next, since the trafficking of women, like the sex industry, is a global phenomenon we have to fight against it on a global scale. I should like to mention particularly the remarkable work accomplished by our elder sister, the Council of Europe, which has set us an example. Indeed, the Council of Europe Convention on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings was adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 3 May 2005. All governments should sign this convention and ratify it. Women forced into prostitution will emerge victorious when Member States and the institutions of the European Union collaborate effectively with the Council of Europe.
Thirdly, our oral question invites us to grant additional funds for the development of equality for all, while preserving the respective roles of men and women so as not to create a rift between them. Who, however, is saying anything about the man, who is the client, the consumer, and the one who demands prostitution? We cannot fight against forced prostitution and the trafficking of women without understanding what is going on in the relationship between the prostitute and the client, without thinking about the demand for prostitution or without analysing men’s motives.
In truth, the prostitution of poor women would be impossible without rich men. The fight against prostitution needs more than simply social condemnation or legal penalties for clients, because paying a prostitute arises from the culture of domination and benefits from virtually general acceptance, and from hypocritical and willing tolerance. Consequently, ladies and gentlemen, the phenomenon of forced prostitution throws light on a fundamental issue that is close to my heart as a woman who stands up for women who are forced into prostitution, but also as the Chairman of the relevant Committee in this Parliament. Respect for otherness will never be achieved as long as men remain unconvinced that improving the condition of women leads to an improvement in the well-being of society as a whole."@en1
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