Switzerland Prostitution enters a critical area

June 24, 2010

Comment: The article in the Swiss daily “Le Temps” talks about prostitution in Zurich, treating it much like a public order issue: since 2006 and the opening up of borders, a precise area in Zurich has been overpopulated by sex workers coming from Eastern Europe (mostly Romania and Hungary), offering their services often in public parks, provoking shock and disdain among Swiss citizens of the neighbourhood. A new ordinance wants to put this trade under tighter control.

The article – as well as the public policy it describes – fails to tackle the issue of trafficking in human beings while it is mentioned as a part of the phenomenon. Child prostitution is only mentioned in a half-sentence, referring to a recent legislation in Geneva, making it illegal – implying that such legislation may not exists elsewhere in Switzerland.

The fact that the article provides an exact location and time where and when services are made available, and shows a quite explicit photo of the ‘market’ could be put into question. Even if the conclusion gives an orientation on the needs of protection of the women involved, the article remains ambiguous especially regarding the analysis of the problematic.

The original article can be read in French.

Comments: Pierre Cazenave, Child Rights Officer, Tdh Regional Office, Hungary.