CALL TO ACTION: Endorse the statement on joint concern regarding the proposed amendment to Article 487 in Lithuania
SWAN and the Association “Soma Teisės” are collecting organizational and individual endorsements in response to the proposed amendment to Article 487 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Lithuania, which would significantly increase fines for the paid use of sexual services while keeping sex workers punishable.
We are concerned that the proposal does not provide real protection for sex workers or people in vulnerable situations. Instead, it risks increasing stigma, policing, and unsafe working conditions, while failing to introduce concrete measures such as access to health care, legal aid, housing support, safe reporting mechanisms, social protection, or protection from violence and exploitation.
The proposal also uses public health concerns, including sexually transmitted infections and HPV, to justify harsher punishment. This is not an evidence-based public health approach. Research shows that repressive policing and criminalization are associated with worse health and safety outcomes for sex workers. Sex workers exposed to repressive policing face increased risks of violence, HIV and STIs, reduced ability to negotiate condom use, and reduced access to health and support services. Evidence-based public health responses should focus on trust, access to services, prevention, testing, vaccination, condoms, harm reduction, and non-discriminatory care — not fines, fear, and policing.
Punishment is not protection!
The proposal also conflates consensual adult sex work with sexual exploitation and human trafficking. We strongly believe that trafficking, coercion, and exploitation must be addressed through strong legal protection, investigation, victim support, and access to justice. At the same time, consensual adult sex work must be clearly distinguished and decriminalized. Decriminalization, together with community-led services and safe working conditions, has the greatest potential to reduce violence, improve access to health care, and reduce HIV/STI risks.
Decriminalize sex workers. Protect victims of trafficking!
By endorsing this statement, your organization supports the call for the Lithuanian Parliament not to adopt the amendment in its current form, to remove penalties against sex workers, and to develop evidence-based, rights-based policies in meaningful consultation with sex worker-led, HIV, harm reduction, migrant rights, women’s rights, LGBTQI, and human rights organizations.
Lithuania should not copy failed punitive models!