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Thread: The Lady's Not For Turning.

  1. #1
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    Thumbs down The Lady's Not For Turning.

    Some people simply should not given positions of authority. Did she read or understand the reasons for Amnesty's decision or is it just that she thinks she can do what she wants because she's a minister?
    It's not about the buyers minister - it's about the basic human rights of the sex workers.

    "Ms. Fitzgerald expected "all aspects of the debate" would be considered". Except the sex workers themselves of course. In the ministers mind they're not part of the debate.
    "The department’s position, which also involves the criminalisation of those selling sex...". Really? Misprint or true agenda?


    Minister to proceed with plan to criminalise sex buyers.
    Friday, August 14, 2015. By Cormac O'Keeffe. Irish Examiner Reporter

    Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald is to proceed with plans to criminalise people who pay for sex, despite calls by Amnesty International for all aspects of sex work to be decriminalised.
    However, a spokesman for the minister did point out the forthcoming Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill would be “substantially discussed” in the Oireachtas.
    In a statement to the Irish Examiner, the spokesman said Ms Fitzgerald expected “all aspects of the debate” would be considered when the bill is introduced in the autumn. The department’s position, which also involves the criminalisation of those selling sex, has been welcomed by Ruhama, an organisation working with women affected by prostitution.

    Last Monday, Amnesty International voted for the decriminalisation of sex work, or prostitution — including those who buy sex.
    The step was taken by up to 500 delegates who attended Amnesty International’s decision-making forum, the International Council Meeting, which was held in Dublin. The delegates adopted a resolution authorising the International Board of the human rights group to develop and adopt a policy on the issue.

    Amnesty said the passing of the resolution was taken “to protect the human rights of sex workers”. In a statement it said: “The resolution recommends that Amnesty International develop a policy that supports the full decriminalisation of all aspects of consensual sex work.”

    It said the move followed consultation over two years, which concluded decriminalisation was “the best way to defend sex workers’ human rights and lessen the risk of abuse and violations”.

    Amnesty International said the consultation included sex worker groups; groups representing survivors of prostitution, and feminist and other women’s right organisations. Asked would the decision be taken into account in relation to the forthcoming Sexual Offences Bill, the Department of Justice signalled its intent to proceed with criminalising those who buy sex.

    The spokesman said: “The proposals to criminalise the purchase of sexual services which will be included in the forthcoming Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill follow a consultation conducted by the Department of Justice and Equality in 2012 and a further consultation by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, the report from which recommended criminalising the purchase of sexual services (June 2013).”

    He added: “The proposals are also in line with a Council of Europe report which concluded that criminalising the purchase of sexual services is the most effective tool for preventing and combating trafficking in human beings (March 2014).”

    He said the proposals raised a wide spectrum of issues, which would be “substantially discussed” in the Oireachtas. “The minister expects that all aspects of the debate will be considered in the autumn,” he said.

    Sarah Benson, Ruhama CEO, said: “We strongly welcome that and commend the minister for continuing with legislation that will criminalise the purchase of sex, which is based on strong evidence and a very robust process.” She said Ruhama was “saddened” by the approach taken by Amnesty, which she said “didn’t listen to numerous women’s organisations and sex survivor groups from across the world who opposed full decriminalisation of the sex trade”.

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  3. #2
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    There was always zero chance of the Minister changing her mind regarding the purchase of sex - the only debate that will be held is regarding the so-called ' decriminalisation' of the selling of sex . Politicians will lobby and obfuscate that 'decriminalisation of sellers' is best policy , TORL will get their more than quota of soundbites from a deferential media and all political parties will re-enforce their support for TORL .

    Whilst privately knowing that the entire debate has been about spin and influence rather than evidence based policy. The corrupt JOC had already their pre-determined outcome with the hearings a mere boxticking exercise. The fact that the JOC refused to even contact the NZ authorities and then buried the (positive) NZ 5 year review in order to mislead previous Minister Shatter shows how utterly duplicious the whole process was.

    What the Amnesty decision did do , however, was validate the claims that full decrim was the optimum legislative environment. So those who spoke in the media (politicians,SWs or journalists) about the need for SW rights whom had their position questioned , had their claims strongly,strongly validated.
    The Amnesty vote added major credibility to the position of all those who advocated full decrim .


    But parties have no intention of changing tune as that would require admitting being wrong ,which is a complete no-no coming up to election time.
    And so much , grandstanding,rhetoric and propaganda will be delivered to misdirect from the fact that the entire process here was a sham .

    As was entirely predictable from Day 1 , Rights of Sex Workers can only be got through the courts (where lobbying and selfservicism is absent) here on the island of Ireland.
    And ,personally, I've no doubt that they will be secured . Starting hopefully with Laura Lee's High Court challenge in NI in late Sept.

    BTW, re title thread - Frances Fitzgerald is no lady . Any person that thinks possible additional violence towards women in prostitution has the beneficial flip side of 'being a deterent to entering prostitution' (as she told the SWAI delegation last year) certainly doesn't deserve the title of lady.
    Last edited by milkman; 14-08-15 at 19:21.

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    What is the story with this Council of Europe report- is the EU not more open on this subject?

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    BTW, re title thread - Frances Fitzgerald is no lady . Any person that thinks possible additional violence towards women in prostitution has the beneficial flip side of 'being a deterent to entering prostitution' (as she told the SWAI delegation last year) certainly doesn't deserve the title of lady.
    The thread title alludes to Thatcher, who was no lady either. I just didn't want to be bluntly vulgar. I have no respect for the minister or her ilk.
    Last edited by Prickly; 14-08-15 at 23:15.

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    That woman makes me wanna beat myself senseless till I have no memory of anything. The fact that she is our justice minster is absolutely sickening. At least Shatter for all his graves errors attempted to have a balanced view on this. Fitzgerald is just as bigoted and arrogant as Benson and the rest of TORL, and her only concern is keeping her seat for next term. She's an utter disgrace!

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  9. #6
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    Yip - the lady's not for turning was the phrase about Thatcher and like you wouldn't have huge time for either her or Fitzgerald.

    Enda got some deserved praise for his declaration that I'm a Taoiseach who happens to be a Catholic.
    Fitzgerald is a feminist who happens to be Minister for Justice - on this issue , happy to ignore the views of SWs who overwhelmingly want full decrim ,because her 'feminist' values inform her rather than the evidence.

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