French lawmakers vote to penalise prostitution clients
French lawmakers have adpoted a highly controversial part of a bill that fines the clients of prostitutes.
Issued on: Modified:
Lawmakers approved the measure in the early hours of Saturday morning after hours of fierce debate in the lower house, the National Assembly.
Under the new provision, buying sex acts will be punishable by a 1,500 euro fine. Repeat offenders risk a fine of 3,750 euros. The provision is part of a larger bill on prostitution.
While protsitution is legal in France, soliciting, pimping and the sale of sex by minors are prohibited. Critics of tbe bill say it will further drive prostitution activities udnerground.
The government said the bill is aimed at preventing violence against women. Only around 20 MPs attended the lower house debate on Friday afternoon.
During the opening debate, activists and sex workers campaigning for and against the bill rallied outside the National Assembly.
The bill was inspired by a similar law in Sweden where it has reduced street prostitution by half over the past decade.
The bill hopes to cancel the offense of soliciting sex, thereby shifting the focus away from sex workers. It also puts forward measures to help prostitutes who want to quit and gives a six-month renewable residence permit for foreigners.
Between 80 to 90 per cent of the prostitutes in France are foreigners. Most of them come from Bulgaria, Romania, Nigeria, Cameroun, China and South America.
There are an estimated 20 000 sex workers in France.
A vote on the rest of the provisions in the bill will take place on 4 December.
Prostitution across Europe
Sweden: Pioneered punishment of clients in 1999, with a six month prison sentence.
Norway: Followed Sweden's example in 2009.
Iceland: One year in prison if sex worker is an adult, two years if a minor.
Britain: Pimping and soliciting are illegal. A client is prosecuted if involved in forced prostitution.
Slovakia: Seeking sex from a prostitute is punished by up to 10 years in prison.
Spain: 3 000 euro fine for clients and up to 750 euro fine for prostitutes working in the street.
Denmark: Prostitution is legal since 1999.
Germany: Regulated since 2002. Sex workers get unemployment insurance and medical coverage.
Netherlands: Legalised in 2000. Sex workers have work contracts, social protection, unemployment insurance and pensions.
Switzerland: Allowed unless it is forced. Sex workers must be over 16.
Greece: Authorised in registered brothels.
Belgium: Can be registered as independent workers.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe