SL, Indian sex workers face police/military harassment: UN

22 October 2012 06:57 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The United Nations said Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh were among countries where sex workers were often the target of police or military harassment.

“Incidents involving sexual assaults by police or military have been reported from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Kiribati, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka,” the United Nations Development Programme and the UN Population Fund, in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and non-governmental organisations across Asia stated in a 210-page report, "Sex Work and the Law in Asia and the Pacific,”.

It said that across almost all of Asia; laws, policies and practices put in place to regulate prostitution do more harm than good, driving sex workers underground and increasing their vulnerability to HIV and a long string of other socially transmissible diseases.

“Sex workers are often targeted by police for harassment and arrest under public order offences and offences relating to beggars or vagrants. This may lead to arrest and detention in special ‘rehabilitation’ facilities (e.g., Sri Lanka and India).”

The report also said that confiscation of condoms by police as evidence of illegal conduct or to justify harassment and extortion was a widespread problem. “Countries where sex workers report condom confiscation or police harassment for possessing condoms include China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam.”

“In Sri Lanka, most sex workers are street-based or operate from shanty dwellings. In addition to street work, some clandestine brothels operate in Sri Lanka and many sex workers work from karaoke clubs or as escorts.”

"Compulsory detention of sex workers, for the purpose of 'rehabilitation' or 're-education' is a highly punitive approach used in China, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, also known as Burma. In some countries, centres are used as a source of free or cheap labour," it further said.

“There are networks of ‘middle men/women’ who can arrange sex with foreign sex workers who come to the Maldives on visa runs from their usual location of work in Sri Lanka and India. There are women from Sri Lanka, India, Southeast Asian countries, Russia, and Eastern Europe,” it added.

THE FULL REPORT

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 12

Sinhala Man Wednesday, 24 October 2012 03:33 AM

Deserves wide reading. The hypocrisy of harassing the weak and actually helping deadly criminals is still common among cops. A sensible judge recently fined a Chinese woman only Rs 10/= for "loitering". However, laws relating to cloister gay and lesbian activities need revising. Just common sense !

prasad Wednesday, 24 October 2012 03:47 AM

Good observation report !

Police is arresting the protection (condoms) which is silly. Health authorities are promoting use of Condoms to prevent STD.

Come on Police !! Be sensible.... also you didn't arrest Malaka on the road or temple. So we have no respect for you any way,

Damien Perera Wednesday, 24 October 2012 04:12 AM

Wait for the next UN Report on Harassment of Gays in Sri Lanka and other Asian countries.

Ansushka Himali Wednesday, 24 October 2012 05:12 AM

United nation is becoming Bunch of fools, instead of answering the Worlds Burning questions Like Syria, Palestine, Afganistan and Iraq they go and speak for the
prostitutes rights !!!!!!!!

Saskia Wednesday, 24 October 2012 05:21 AM

Now I know why the Lonely Planet has announced SL the best to visit country.

lk Wednesday, 24 October 2012 05:52 AM

i think this is a must read report for our hypocrite purists. welcome to reality!

Calistus Jayatilleke Wednesday, 24 October 2012 06:58 AM

An eye-opener for the so called purists and the half-educated Police force. In actual fact, in most cases, a prostitute is a woman prostituted by a prostitute.

C. Seneveratne Wednesday, 24 October 2012 07:07 AM

Sex profession is a thing that was running for generations,
why not legalize it in a way that protects every one.

The God Father Wednesday, 24 October 2012 08:47 AM

High Time to legalize prostitution, but make sure the politicians go to parliament without fail though.

aaa Wednesday, 24 October 2012 11:59 AM

In my view such workers should be stone to death

xlntgson Friday, 26 October 2012 03:16 PM

# aaa, are you the first to throw stone? I too a purist of different variety, to legalize for over forty without tax!

Asoka Saturday, 27 October 2012 07:36 AM

Go to USA, Europe, Australia Peep shows, legalised prostitutes in road sides, topless waiteress, strip show girls every where. Sex shops every where the above countries. All most the above countries rulers also either illagimate sons and daughters or adoppted sons or daughters. Where as most of the asian countries respect for their culture very well.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

SL, Indian sex workers face police/military harassment: UN

Comments - 12

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

New Visa procedure implemented

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SL took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

25 tons of solid waste disposed along Sri Pada route

Temperature rises to ‘Caution’ level

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations