“Social cleansing” at the Paris Olympics

Freedom United hosted a live discussion event on the Paris Olympics and trafficking. Watch it now!

The 2024 Olympic Games have begun following months of preparation by French authorities engaged in what can only be described as a “social cleansing” effort. With no regard for their well-being, French police have been cracking down on those deemed “undesirable” for the image Paris would like projected on the world stage – immigrants, asylum seekers, homeless individuals, and sex workers.  

The ‘repression first’ approach of the French state only harms the most vulnerable and has obvious consequences for the safety of sex workers. Freedom United rejects this approach and further rejects the conflation of sex work and trafficking which the police hide behind to target sex workers.  

Displaced and vulnerable  

Over the past 14 months, more than 13,000 people have been forcibly relocated.

Yussuf Ahmed, a Sudanese refugee with official status and a job was one of many who were lured into boarding buses with the promise of better living conditions. Instead, they were unknowingly screened for asylum eligibility and relocated out of the capital. Many of those relocated were issued deportation orders. 

The repercussions of increased repression coupled with lack of protections are profound. Those with precarious statuses are left isolated and without support, making them prime targets for exploitation as their vulnerability is easily taken advantage of by unscrupulous persons, including traffickers. 

The myth of the “increase” in prostitution 

In 2016, France adopted the Nordic model for sex work, decriminalizing public solicitation of sexual services while penalizing the clients. Under this law, sex workers are viewed as victims and are not subject to punishment. However, the majority of Parisian sex workers are undocumented migrants without proper documentation or residency permits.

In the first six months of 2024, various organizations aiding sex workers have noted a rise in documentation checks. These increased controls allow authorities to target these women as undocumented foreigners, as they cannot be penalized for their sex work.

The conflation of trafficking and prostitution has further exacerbated the situation. Authorities have launched extensive projects to combat what they perceive as an inevitable rise in trafficking (sex work) during large-scale events like the Olympics.  

Advocates say this myth of a “rise in prostitution” during major sporting events like the Olympics is not only false but has been used to justify increased surveillance and social control measures.3 This notion originated during the 2004 Athens Games and persists today despite substantial evidence to the contrary including reports like “What’s the Cost of a Rumour?” by the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women.  

Nevertheless, the myth persists and, with it, the stricter enforcement of solicitation laws and intensified police operations targeting sex workers – removing them from public areas. Rather than protecting anyone from trafficking, these actions have pushed sex workers into more dangerous and hidden situations, heightening their risk of exploitation, violence, and trafficking. 

If anything, it is more likely that the risk of trafficking has increased due to the efforts of the French authorities. 

The spirit of the Olympics? 

Freedom United is concerned about the impact of the police response towards people who are already vulnerable, in the pursuit of a polished image. This heavy-handed approach not only fails to address the root causes of exploitation but also exacerbates the dangers faced by marginalized communities.  

We urge authorities to prioritize human rights and protection for all residents, so that the spirit of unity and fairness extends beyond the stadiums to every corner of the city.  

Freedom United’s new online event is committed to addressing harsh crackdowns on vulnerable communities for a global spectacle. Join the conversation on August 7!