TAG: criminalization

Disability and sex work: developing affinities through decriminalization

This article argues that strong policy frameworks are required to support the health and well-being of sex workers, disabled people, and disabled sex workers. Through an examination of the context of sex work in Canada, it articulates the flaws of sex work criminalization and the persistent barriers that criminalization creates.

Victory in Tunisia: Activist group Shams wins in court

Shams, the Tunisian group pushing for the decriminalization of homosexuality, has won its legal challenge against a government order that it suspend operations. “Shams can resume normal activities, thanks to the decision of the court,” the organization announced on Facebook today. The trial dealt with a legal notification Shams received Jan. 4, ordering the suspension […]

Pope and Patriarch Misrepresent the True Meaning of Secularism and Seek to Impose their Beliefs on Others

Catholics for Choice On his way to Mexico, Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic church, met with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill for the first time since the schism of the two religions in the 11th century. They signed an interreligious joint declaration that was supposed to solidify their shared Christian values, but instead the […]

We queer people will do everything to ensure our liberty, even if it takes some Bollywoodising

Conservative estimates would place us at 2% of any population. In India that’s a delightful 2.5 crores who are potentially criminal for indulging in sexual intercourse with other adults of the same sex, as per the perverse Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

Sexual Politics in January 2016

The global epidemics fueled by the mosquito-born Zika virus, its potential correlation with microcephaly and the connection with abortion rights is one main headline in the sexual politics scenario of January 2016. And Brazil is at center of this crisis. To delve in the subject read Sonia Corrêa’s article. Then good news in relation to […]

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights launches campaign to decriminalize abortion

On Jan. 18, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) launched a continental campaign for the decriminalization of abortion in Africa to bring attention to unsafe abortion which significantly threatens women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights.

LGBT Backlash in Indonesia

Last week in Jakarta, I met leaders of the Support Group and Resource Center on Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Indonesia, who were brimming with confidence about their work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

Mozambique’s Double Speak on LGBT Rights

When Mozambique’s human rights record was reviewed before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva this week, the government’s inconsistency on homosexuality was in full view.

New issue of Reproductive Health Matters: sexuality, sexual rights and sexual politics

The issue 46 of Reproductive Health Matters focuses on the theme “Sexuality, sexual rights and sexual politics” and brings articles offering “a wide range of analysis, perspectives and evidence that highlight the nexus between sexual health and human rights and deepen our knowledge about the challenges and opportunities for individuals of any sexual orientation or […]

Peru compensates woman in historic UN Human Rights abortion case

In 2001, a 17-year-old Peruvian girl, named K.L., was 14 weeks pregnant when doctors at the public hospital in Lima diagnosed the foetus with anencephaly. Anencephaly is a fatal birth defect, where the foetus lacks most or all of the forebrain. Doctors told her that continuing the pregnancy would put her life and health at […]

Italian Cooperation at human rights defenders side in Uganda

The Organisation Soleterre – Strategie di Pace ONLUS, in collaboration with East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP), has produced a publication as part of the project “At Human Rights Defenders’ side in Uganda”, co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The initiative is part of the Italian foreign […]

With Sex Workers Too, Rape Is Still Rape

In the last several months, there have been a number of rape allegations involving sex workers in the news. Most recently, a number of sex workers accused porn star James Deen of rape. Several websites have since dropped Deen, including Kink.com. Also, Jonathan “War Machine” Koppenhaver is facing 34 counts of rape, kidnapping, and attempted murder (among others) against his ex-girlfriend and porn star Christy Mack, which reportedly left her with 18 broken bones and a ruptured liver, and her friend, Corey Thomas.