International Committee for Prostitutes’ Rights
Encyclopedia
The International Committee for Prostitutes’ Rights (ICPR) emerged out of the prostitutes' rights movement starting in the mid 1970s. The ICPR adopted the World Charter for Prostitutes' Rights
in 1985 in response to feminist arguments that all prostitution is forced prostitution
. The Charter calls for the decriminalisation of "all aspects of adult prostitution resulting from individual decision". The Charter also states that prostitutes should be guaranteed "all human rights
and civil liberties
, including the freedom of speech
, travel, immigration, work, marriage, and motherhood and the right to unemployment insurance, health insurance
and housing." The Charter established a human rights
based approach which has subsequently been further elaborated by the prostitutes' rights movement.
in England (1975), the New York Prostitutes Collective (1979) which later became USPROS, the Australian Prostitutes Collective (1981) which is now known as the Prostitutes Collective of Victoria (PCV), and the Italian Committee for Civil Rights of Prostitutes (1982). The Canadian Organisation for the Rights of Prostitutes (CORP), the Dutch Red Thread
and HYDRA in Germany also assumed significant roles in the movement. The International Committee for Prostitutes Rights (ICPR) was formed in 1985.
World Charter for Prostitutes' Rights
The World Charter for Prostitutes' Rights is a declaration of rights adopted in 1985 to protect the rights of prostitutes worldwide. It was adopted by the International Committee for Prostitutes’ Rights .-The charter:...
in 1985 in response to feminist arguments that all prostitution is forced prostitution
Forced prostitution
Forced prostitution, also known as involuntary prostitution, is the act of performing sexual activity in exchange for money on a non-voluntary basis. There are a wide range of entry routes into prostitution, ranging from "voluntary and deliberate" entry, "semi-voluntary" based on pressure of...
. The Charter calls for the decriminalisation of "all aspects of adult prostitution resulting from individual decision". The Charter also states that prostitutes should be guaranteed "all human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and civil liberties
Civil liberties
Civil liberties are rights and freedoms that provide an individual specific rights such as the freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right...
, including the freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
, travel, immigration, work, marriage, and motherhood and the right to unemployment insurance, health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
and housing." The Charter established a human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
based approach which has subsequently been further elaborated by the prostitutes' rights movement.
Background
In the mid 1970s a highly politicised prostitutes' rights movement emerged in Europe. Starting with the strike by French prostitutes in 1975, which lead to the creation of the French Collective of Prostitutes and in turn inspired the formation of groups such as the English Collective of ProstitutesEnglish Collective of Prostitutes
The English Collective of Prostitutes founded in 1975, campaigns for the decriminalisation of prostitution, sex workers’ right to recognition and safety, and financial alternatives so that no one is forced into prostitution by poverty....
in England (1975), the New York Prostitutes Collective (1979) which later became USPROS, the Australian Prostitutes Collective (1981) which is now known as the Prostitutes Collective of Victoria (PCV), and the Italian Committee for Civil Rights of Prostitutes (1982). The Canadian Organisation for the Rights of Prostitutes (CORP), the Dutch Red Thread
The Red Thread (De Rode Draad)
The Red Thread is an advocacy-support group for prostitutes in the Netherlands. The group aims to bring legitimacy to the prostitution industry by seeking regulation via labour and employment laws and by working against the stigmatization of prostitutes, considering prostitution a valid choice...
and HYDRA in Germany also assumed significant roles in the movement. The International Committee for Prostitutes Rights (ICPR) was formed in 1985.
See also
- A Vindication of the Rights of WhoresA Vindication of the Rights of WhoresA Vindication of The Rights of Whores, is an anthology edited by Gail Pheterson with a preface by Margo St. James.The book consists of the voices of a diverse group of prostitutes, Sex worker's rights activists and feminist scholars from around the world, discussing their lives and their...
- COYOTECOYOTECOYOTE, or Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics, is an American sex worker activist organization. COYOTE's goals include the decriminalization of prostitution, pimping and pandering, as well as the elimination of social stigma concerning sex work as an occupation.Though it is frequently described as a...
- International Day to End Violence Against Sex WorkersInternational Day to End Violence Against Sex WorkersInternational Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is observed annually on 17 December by Sex workers, their advocates, friends, families and allies....
- Margo St. JamesMargo St. JamesMargo St. James , a self-described prostitute and sex-positive feminist, founded the organization COYOTE , which advocates decriminalization of prostitution.-History:...
- Sex worker rightsSex worker rightsThe term sex worker rights encompasses a variety of aims being pursued globally by individuals and organizations that specifically involve the human and labor rights of sex workers....
- Sex workerSex workerA sex worker is a person who works in the sex industry. The term is usually used in reference to those in the sex industry that actually provide such sexual services, as opposed to management and staff of such industries...