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sex workers rights

Esperanza y otros vs el Ministerio de Defensa (Sentencia T-594-16 -Acción de Tutela-; Expediente T-5.596.207)

This case concerned issues of personal freedom and the discrimination against sex workers. The ruling resulted in the protection of two sex workers’ fundamental rights: to be treated equally and not be discriminated because of their profession. The events that triggered such protection concerned a police raid against sex workers in Bogotá under the excuse of regaining a public space.

Lais vs Pandemo Club propiedad del Sr. Zoto (Lais vs Pandemo Club owned by Mr. Zoto) (Sentencia T-629-10 - Acción de Tutela; Expediente T-2384611)

The case concerned labor rights and protection of sex workers. The plaintiff, a sex worker, sued her former employer for firing her after she became pregnant. Under articles 236 and 239 of the Colombian Labor Code, a pregnant woman is subject to special labor protection, and therefore cannot be fired without cause and without authorities’ permission. The court consisdered whether pregnant sex workers should have the same labor protection as other professions.

State v. Jackson (S.D. 1985)

In the case State v. Jackson, 371 N.W.2d 341 (S.D. 1985), the defendant and his wife operated a club and escort service, and they were accused of inducing employees to engage in prostitution. Two women testified that the defendant personally hired them, arranged for them to provide nude dancing for and to have sexual intercourse with male clients in motel rooms, and then transported them to these encounters. Based on their testimony, the defendant was convicted on two counts of inducing another to become or remain a prostitute.

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