Inhuman eviction of sex workers

On July 20, I was crossing the road in front of the Press Club. There I saw hundreds of people preparing for a human chain. It was a protest of the sex workers against their recent eviction from a Tangail brothel. The placards in women's hands read: “We are sex workers not terrorists or criminals”, “We are human beings, we want our rights,” etc.

The brothel was invaded by local politicians and fanatics who forced the sex workers to leave. They didn't even allow the sex workers to take their belongings. Last year another brothel situated in Madaripur district was evicted and occupied by politicians and fanatics.

We heard that the local mayor (an Awami Leaguer), who wants to grab the brothel's land, is behind this eviction. Eviction of sex workers without rehabilitation will force them to live a more miserable life.

Talukdar Zahid
Surja Sen Hall
University of Dhaka