The European Sex Workers' Rights Alliance (ESWA) warmly welcomes the article When Ideology Trumps Rights: The ECtHR’s Rejection of Sex Workers’ Human Rights in M.A. and Others v. France by Dr. Fleur van Leeuwen and Dr. Marjan Wijers, published on the Oxford Human Rights Hub. This important article critiques the European Court of Human Rights' recent decision to uphold a French law that criminalises the purchase of sexual services—a law that has disastrous consequences for sex workers' safety and autonomy.
The authors expose how the Court's focus on ideology ignores the real lived experiences and realities of sex workers. They challenge the Court’s acceptance of France’s legal framework, highlighting the importance of respecting sex work as a legitimate choice. By overlooking the negative effects of the law, the Court fails to protect the rights of sex workers.
For a deeper understanding of this critical issue and the importance of a rights-based approach to sex work, read the full article here.
