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EDITOR'S CHOICE: Fiona Godlee Vice versa BMJ 2006; 332: 0-f [Full text]

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Prostitution is still considered abuse of human rights by most !most .

M.I Shaikh   (28 January 2006)

Prostitution is still considered abuse of human rights by most !most . 28 January 2006
M.I Shaikh, Consultant geriatrician, Medical Testing and Research Organization, pakistan Islamabad , Pakistan , ZIP 44000 Send response to journal: Re: Prostitution is still considered abuse of human rights by most !most .	The article makes some sweeping assumptions both on a moralistic basis as well as from a pragmatic point of view. Take for example the first quote regarding the prostitution part of the issue - “ properly licensed premises would mean that the worst aspects of the sex trade—child prostitution, trafficking, and slavery and the exploitation of vulnerable people”. Whilst this may or may not make prostitutes safe themselves in the UK setting but going by experience in third world these flesh trade centers become dens of organized crime which even local police is afraid to touch. It also accelerates the volume of flesh trade per soul , increases overall turnover rate and also the disease rate. Author then goes on to quote a prostitute that “ neither having sex nor getting paid are inherently degrading, abusive, exploitative, or harmful”. Nothing could be more remote from reality on the ground, it is considered degrading by the vast majority in the civilized world even today , a fact which creates self image and psychological issues for new entrants, it is exploitative of males by its inherent nature and about harm I see its victims every day. But what is surprising of all is the comment by the editor “It is surely time for an end to the arguments of moral opprobrium and for some bolder steps towards legalization if we are to improve public health and human rights”. Suffice to say here that while It is correct that some thing has to be done above moral discussions the why the better off in the society should be giving this “ training less profession” a boost, why are we not discussing teaching them some worthy profession and skill which last the entire life time and which gives the young unfortunate girls a fair and better chance to grow as other do. The vote of dissent is here! BMJ needs riding up the moral ladder . DR. M.I.SHAIKH CONSULTANT , GERIATRICIAN MEDICAL TESTING AND RESEARCH ORGANIZATION ISLAMABAD , PAKISTAN Competing interests: None declared