Brussels, July 25, 2024

The European Network of Migrant Women (ENoMW) is elated with a historic decision by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of M.A.and others v France (Applications nos 63664/19 and 4 others). This landmark ruling affirms that the abolitionist model, which criminalises the purchase of sexual acts and provides support to victims of prostitution, does not violate human rights.

Prostitution inherently entails severe human rights violations, physical and psychological harm, and increased trafficking networks in countries where buying sexual acts is legal. On the contrary, the French abolitionist model, also adopted in Europe by Sweden, Norway, Ireland and Iceland, is a crucial step in fulfilling legal obligations to discourage the demand for sexual exploitation and support victims of prostitution and trafficking. Thanks to today’s decision, France will be able to maintain and fully enforce this system nationwide. The European Network of Migrant Women calls on other European States to follow this example and adopt the only approach which fully protects women’s rights.