Doc. 11267
23 April 2007

Actions for the prevention of forced prostitution

Motion for a resolution
presented by Mrs Hurskainen and others

In Recommendation 1325 (1997), the Parliamentary Assembly expresses its deep concern over the dramatic increase in forced prostitution. Prostitution is against the principles of human rights and is unacceptable also from a social point of view. It is degrading for those who prostitute themselves, and those who buy sexual services exploit the social and economic disadvantage of the prostitutes. Crime, drug abuse and human trafficking flourish in connection with prostitution. This creates dependence which in its turn can force further prostitution.

Prostitution is often practised in hotels. It exists in all countries and among both women and men. Concrete measures must be taken to fight the problem.

The Council of Europe regularly organises meetings and conferences around Europe. The Secretariat of the Council of Europe usually pre-selects some hotels and proposes them to the participants of each meeting.

The Assembly should ensure that the hotels recommended for Council of Europe Assembly meetings are not in any way involved in prostitution. A similar resolution has been adopted by the Nordic Council.

We, the undersigned, propose that the Assembly adopt a resolution in which it is set out that:

-       the Secretariat of the Assembly should only select hotels which have issued a guarantee that sex services or prostitution is not taking place in the hotels in question;

-       staff at the selected hotels must receive written guidelines on this subject;

-       a website should be set up with a positive list which registers the hotels that guarantee not to arrange and allow the sale of sex. The website should cover the Council of Europe member states and neighbouring areas where the Council of Europe conducts its co-operation.

Signed ¹:

• HURSKAINEN Sinikka, Finland, SOC
• ASKO-SELJAVAARA Sirpa, Finland, EPP/CD
• Baroness HOOPER Gloria, United Kingdom, EDG
• COŞKUNOĞLU Osman, Turkey, SOC
• DUESUND Åse Gunhild Woie, Norway, EPP/CD
• HAGBERG Michael, Sweden, SOC
• HÄGG Carina, Sweden, SOC
• HÖRSTER Joachim, Germany, EPP/CD
• KAIKKONEN Antti, Finland, ALDE
• KALLIO Reijo, Finland, SOC
• LAAKSO, Jaakko, Finland, UEL
• LAUKKANEN, Markku, Finland, ALDE
• LINDBLAD, Göran, Sweden, EPP/CD
• LUNDGREN, Kerstin, Sweden, ALDE
• PERICLEOUS PAPADOPOULOS, Antigoni, Cyprus, ALDE
• WODARG, Wolfgang, Germany, SOC

¹     SOC: Socialist Group
      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party
      ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
      EDG: European Democratic Group
      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
      NR: not registered in a group