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| Comment: Sex Workers Network rally against US global AIDS, trafficking restrictions |
2005-05-26 08:00:00 <SEX-WORK> |
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Comments: Bangladesh - Sex Workers Network rally against US global AIDS, trafficking restrictions
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[Mods note: Two members sent in their comments on a recent pro-sex worker demonstration that took place in Shahid Minar, Bangladesh.]
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1) Sex Workers & Human Rights Network organized protest rally against US global AIDS and trafficking restrictions
Khairuzzaman Kamal, Bangladesh
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Sex-workers Network of Bangladesh & Human Rights Coalition-Shonghoti jointly organized a protest rally in Bangladesh capital in May 24, 2005.
Thousands of Sex Workers & Human rights activists participated the rally in central Shahid Minar area capital of Bangladesh. They shouted slogans against US policy to protest the attempt to stop funding against Sex Workers related human rights issues.
In the protest rally speakers said that U.S. anti-HIV/AIDS and anti-trafficking efforts will be severely undermined by policies restricting the range of interventions that can be used to protect the lives and health of women and men in prostitution. They said the Sex worker community would be more vulnerable after this US anti policy. The Sex worker community in Bangladesh will be the worst affected by this US policy.
Now in Bangladesh Government, INGOs supported HIV/AIDS prevention program with Sex Workers intervention. After the US anti Sex Workers policy HIV/AIDS prevention in Bangladesh would be hampered. Sex Workers would become more stigmatized & discriminated against.
The protest rally presided by Ms. Momtaz Begum, President Sex Workers Network of Bangladesh, affress among others Ms. Shanaz, Secretary, Sex Workers Network of Bangladesh, Ms. Hasi, Ms. Nargis, Ms. Joya, Ms. Mukta, Ms Khandakar Rebaka Syaniat, President Shonghoti & Khairuzzaman Kamal, Secretary, Shonghoti.
Khairuzzaman Kamal
Executive Director
BMSF & Secretary, Shonghoti
E-mail: bmsf@dhaka.net
2) Bangladesh sex workers held gathering to protest against policy
A. S. M. Enamul Hoque, Bangladesh
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Hundreds of sex workers raised their strong voice in protest of the policy of Bush administration of USA that prohibit US global AIDS fund from going to any group or organization that does not oppose prostitution and thereby opposing the rights of sex workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh in a gathering held today May 24, 2005 at 4:30 pm at Central Shahid Minar. The gathering was organized by Sex Workers Network of Bangladesh and supported by Sanghati, an alliance of more than 86 organizations (NGOs, Human rights, social development and women organizations) for protecting and promoting sex workers' human rights.
Ms. Momtaz Begum, President, Sex Workers Network of Bangladesh presided over the gathering. Among others Ms. Shahanaj Begum, Secretary, Sex Workers Network of Bangladesh and President, Durjoy Nari Sangha; Ms. Rebeka, President, Sanghati; Mr. Khairuzzaman kamal, Secretary, Sanghati; Ms. Joya, Badhon Hijra Sangha; Ms. Hashi, NariMukti Sangha spoke in the gathering. Ms. Nargis Aktar presented the declaration of the gathering and that unanimously accepted by the gathering.
The declaration termed the decision of Bush Administration as against the individual freedom, undemocratic and inhuman and said that due to the US policy HIV/AIDS prevention and care activities worldwide including the empowerment of sex workers will be seriously hindered. Sex workers will face more stigma, discrimination in worldwide and consequently will suffer miserable and vulnerable life situation.
The declaration further said that the sex workers as human being have right to protest against such discriminatory decision. Such prohibition is the violation of sex workers rights as citizen and against the self respect.
Sex workers network of Bangladesh raised their strong protest from the gathering and felt that such decision will snatch the individual freedom and will push the sex workers in more harassment situation to pimps, miscreants and law enforcing agencies and sex workers will fail to take decision on their body and their life.
A. S. M. Enamul Hoque
Email: enamasm@aitlbd.net
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