French Prostitutes Protest Crackdown

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 06, 2002

French Prostitutes Protest Crackdown

Wearing white masks with tears painted on them, hundreds of prostitutes rallied in front of the French Senate on Tuesday to protest a high-profile government crackdown on their livelihood.

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Wearing white masks with tears painted on them, hundreds of prostitutes rallied in front of the French Senate on Tuesday to protest a high-profile government crackdown on their livelihood.

The demonstrators women and men said a crime bill before Parliament that includes tougher measures against prostitution and solicitation would make their lives harder.

The 500 demonstrators singled out Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, the leading proponent of the crackdown, accusing him of being a "killer." Many of the banners waved by protesters condemned him by name.

The anti-crime bill, a broad measure that increases police powers, tightens gun laws and includes penalties for panhandling and loitering, was approved by the Cabinet last month. It still requires Parliamentary passage before it becomes law.

France's center-right government, swept to power in June elections, embarked on a highly publicized campaign against prostitution as part of a wider effort to stem the country's rising crime rate.

Prostitution is practiced openly in certain parts of Paris, where women in short skirts can be seen strolling the sidewalks soliciting business without fear of police interference.

Source: Agencies

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