‘Prostitution, the world’s oldest debate’

A bill that aims to prosecute prostitutes’ clients has divided all of France's political parties, overriding the traditional left-right split, writes Libération. Presented by the socialist government on November 27, the text will be discussed by the National Assembly at the end of the week.

In its editorial, the newspaper examines the terms of a debate which is the subject of heated argument in French political circles. Should private life, and in particular sexuality, be subject to legislation? Is prostitution really a private matter given that the vast majority of sex workers are the victims of human trafficking? The newspaper concludes —

This law will not eradicate prostitution, but at least it will demonstrate that the parliament condemns this enslavement.

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