Advocates and researchers Kari Lerum, Kiesha McCurtis, Penelope Saunders, and Stephanie Wahab who were involved in the Universal Periodic Review process at different points in 2010 and 2011, have produced an article about the importance of Recommendation 86 and the UPR for publication in the Anti-Trafficking Review (a peer reviewed journal published by the Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women).
The following information is submitted by the Best Practices Policy Project (BPPP) and the Desiree Alliance. Both organizations were founded in 2005 to be part of a re-emerging movement for sex worker rights in the United States. Both groups prioritize sex worker leadership in issues of concern to them and strive to ensure social justice through anti-oppression/anti-racism work. The Desiree Alliance has worked since its inception to speak to the concerns of the wide range of people— including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities—who engage in sexual commerce (such as street sex work, escort work, informal sexual negotiations for basic income). The Best Practices Policy Project is dedicated to building excellence amongst organizations working with sex workers and related communities of people also affected by anti-prostitution policies (such as transgender people, youth, low income people of color and immigrants) so that collectively we can build a society in which these communities can enjoy their health and rights.
Submitted September 15, 2010 to Civil Society Section, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, via email to HR&HIVconsultation@ohchr.org
This report was prepared by the Best Practices Policy Project with support from the following organizations working with sex workers, people in the sex trade and other groups in the United States: the Desiree Alliance, Bayswan, Women with a Vision, HIPS, Madre Tierra, St James Infirmary, SWOP-USA, SWOP-Tucson, SWOP-NYC and SWANK, SWOP-Colorado, SWOP-Chicago and other organizations.