Protest aganist licensing sex industry in Kolkotta

April 10, 2004

Dear freinds,

Greetings from HELP & NATSAP

NATSAP. Network Against Trafficking and Sexual exploitation in Andhra Pradesh is

a non-profit Organization and a coalition of 30 NGOs working in Andhra Pradesh,

India for prevention of trafficking of Children and women and their sexual

exploitation.

We were deeply shocked to learn that trade licenses are being given to " sex

workers " (we refrain from using this term) in Kolkotta by the Honorable Mayor.

This is a disturbing news to all of us for one cannot understand how a practice

of slavery is being given legitimacy in this country.

Prostitution is the oldest form of sexual slavery. By giving licences to this

organized crime, which largely victimizes women and children, we are not only

deepening gender violence but also providing a socio-political sanction to

criminal nexus. We condemn this move of the Kolkotta Municipal administration to

grant trade license to victims of commercial sexual exploitation. As this will

only victimize the victims further, we call upon the good offices of the Mayor

to seriously rethink on this issue. We reiterate that being party to such a

process also perhaps amounts to criminal nexus. Our inadequacy to provide

options to women and children cannot force us to legitimize crime against them?.

We also call upon all like-minded individuals and groups who believe in human

rights to come forward and register their protests against this gross violation

of human dignity. Let us protest now? Before crime becomes the order of our

lives.

Kolkatta, the birthplace of Social reformers like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa,

Swami Vivekananda, Ravindranadh Tagore, Subash Chandrabose etc., should not go

in to the annals of history as a predator of women hood.

This is a value degradation step adopted by a politician for personal end. We

call upon gender activists, women organisations, human right activists

and like minded NGOs to strongly protest and fight against such untoward

decisions.

We deeply regret and request all the political parties appropriately react

to this decision.

N.V.S.Ram Mohan,

Convener, NATSAP.

E-mail: <help_org2002@...>

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