Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE EU’S top court has ruled that Dutch brothel owners must share a language with the sex workers who display their wares in the shop windows of Amsterdam’s notorious red-light district.
Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands but human trafficking is not and the European Court of Justice (ECJ) said that the language requirement would ensure all was above board.
“The Court considers it is possible to require that a brothel owner be able to communicate in the same language with the prostitutes who work there,” the ECJ said in a statement today.
The ECJ was considering the case of a brothel owner in Amsterdam who wanted to open two other properties but who was refused permission by the local authorities on the grounds he could not speak Hungarian or Bulgarian, the language of the prostitutes in question.
“Operating a shop window brothel could not therefore be organised in such a manner as to prevent abuses and ensure that no criminal action was committed against the prostitutes,” it said.
It said other possible remedies such as video cameras or having a third person present did not seem practical.
The Netherlands submitted the case to the ECJ for its opinion on its position that such a language qualification for brothel owners was allowed under the EU’s single market rules which are meant to ensure a level playing field for all.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Leo is concerned someone might leak confidential information….
@Leonard O’mahony: no sure he can do that all himself.
@Leonard O’mahony: Nah, he just doesn’t want any more photos of him being caught kissing someone other than his partner ;)
@Leonard O’mahony: You mean Leo is concerned someone will get to leak confidential information before he does it.
Eamon Ryan, are you listening? It’s only the phone you put on “sleep”.
Security reasons? Russian intelligence, Chinese Intelligence, U.S. intelligence? .The plot thickens. Of course the fact Varadkar leaked confidential government documents or the fact a junior FG minister set up a sting to catch a senior FG minister who leaked information may also be a consideration in this move. Keep the circus going lads .
@Donal Desmond: certainly not British intelligence as it doesn’t exist
@Tony Doyle: Good point..
This is a very basic cyber security precaution that should have been implemented 15 years ago. Most cyber security aware military installations around the world have been doing this for ages in high level offices/meeting rooms. The cabinet of the Government of Ireland should be no different. Might cut down on a few leaks.
@Niall Mchugh: Apparently Enda Kenny brought in a few years ago but it wasn’t followed through
Sell your shares in Candy Crush
Oh the irony!!
Is leaky afraid someone might leak something before he gets a chance to leak.????
We’ve known about hacking software such as the Israeli developed Pegasus for a quite a while now. This decision is well justified and not before time.
From today?
Surely this ban shoukd always have been there?
I have never been in a meeting, where the use of a mobile phone was accetable.
have your say