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Open bills, reviews and cases, soonest known next step first. RSS

• Germany · Under review

  Expert commission on improving the protection of sex workers (Prostituiertenschutz-Kommission)

  Next, November 2026: Legislative proposals due at the end of November 2026; non-legislative proposals and final report due end of May 2027.

• Netherlands · In parliament

  Implementation of revised EU Anti-Trafficking Directive (bill 36 835), incl. new art. 250b Sr on sex-ad platforms

  Next, 3 November 2026: Eerste Kamer justice committee procedure meeting

• Dominican Republic · Adopted

  Corporate criminal liability under the new Penal Code takes effect

  Next, 5 November 2026: Arts. 8–11 of Law 74-25 (corporate criminal liability, applied to procuring by Art. 183) enter into force

• Sweden · In parliament

  Bill 2025/26:313: new offence of using the services of a trafficking victim

  Next, 25 November 2026: Riksdag vote on the Justice Committee report 2026/27:JuU9 (planned)

• Spain · Stalled

  Reform of Organic Law 4/2015 on public safety (Proposición de Ley Orgánica 122/000131)

  Next, 29 November 2026: General election; a new Cortes would have to start the bill again

• Netherlands · Proposed

  Statutory minimum age of 21 for prostitution / sex work

  Next, December 2026: Draft bill (stepwise increase to 21 for sex work) being prepared for consultation and then the Council of State; the minister aims to inform parliament on its legal design by end 2026. No bill tabled as of 30 October 2026

• Netherlands · Under review

  WODC study of the Dutch sex industry 2026 and evaluation of the sex-worker position approach

  Next, December 2026: Final report on licensed and advertised prostitution; plan of action on ad platforms promised for autumn 2026; separate WODC evaluation due 2027

• Belgium · Under review

  Government evaluation of the law of 3 May 2024 and its implementing decrees

  Next, December 2026: Evaluation due two years after entry into force (art. 26). The federal employment ministry plans it for the end of 2026.

• Australia · Under review

  Victoria: statutory review of the Sex Work Decriminalisation Act 2022

  Next, 1 December 2026: Earliest date the review may start (3 years after full commencement on 1 December 2023); it must start by 1 December 2028.

• South Africa · Proposed

  Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill (decriminalisation of sex work)

  Next, 2027: Publication of the revised draft for public comment, then Cabinet approval to introduce it in Parliament; the department expects introduction in 2027.

• Sweden · Under review

  Riksrevisionen audit RiR 2026:18 on work against trafficking for sexual purposes

  Next, January 2027: Government's written response (skrivelse) to the Riksdag on the audit's recommendations, due within four months of receiving the report (Riksdagsordningen 9 kap. 19 §)

• Australia · Under review

  Queensland: independent review of the 2024 decriminalisation

  Next, August 2028: Review window opens 4 years after commencement (2 August 2024) and closes after 5 years.

• Israel · Stalled

  Bill to make the prohibition on consuming prostitution permanent

  Next, 10 July 2029: Statutory deadline for the study and recommendations on extending the law, one year before it expires on 10 July 2030

• Australia · Under review

  Northern Territory: five-year review of the Sex Industry Act 2019

  Last updated 30 October 2026

• Belgium · Under review

  Annulment action against the law of 3 May 2024 on sex work under an employment contract

  Next: Judgment of the Constitutional Court. None had been published as of judgment no. 125/2026 of 22 October 2026. BRUZZ reported in July 2026 that a ruling was expected at the end of 2026.

• Belgium · Under review

  Multidisciplinary evaluation of the prostitution offences by the Chamber of Representatives

  Last updated 30 October 2026

• Hong Kong · Consultation

  Improving the Laws on Sexual Offences in Hong Kong (Security Bureau consultation)

  Next: Government said it would submit amendment proposals to the Legislative Council within 2026.

• EU · In negotiation

  CSA Regulation ('chat control')

  Next: Seventh political trilogue. As of 30 October 2026 neither the Council nor the Parliament had announced a date. Patrick Breyer's tracker lists 8 December 2026, after earlier expecting November. The Irish Council presidency ends on 31 December 2026. The interim Regulation (EU) 2026/1881 applies until 3 April 2028.

• Council of Europe · Adopted

  ECtHR M.A. and Others v. France (2024)

  Last updated 30 October 2026

• Cyprus · In parliament

  Government bill repealing a Criminal Code provision describing dancers as 'prostitutes'

  Last updated 25 October 2026

• Burkina Faso · Adopted

  New Penal Code adopted by the Assemblée législative du peuple

  Next: Promulgation and publication in the Journal officiel

• Ecuador · Adopted

  Reform of the Organic Law against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and the COIP

  Next: Presidential sanction or veto

• Gabon · Proposed

  Private member's bill amending Law No. 006/2020 (Article 212, offences against public morals)

  Last updated 16 October 2026

• Somalia · In parliament

  Sexual Offences and Misconduct Bill

  Next: Further legislative steps before entry into force were not announced; the final text has not been published.

• Netherlands · Adopted

  Wet modernisering en uitbreiding strafbaarstelling mensenhandel (Stb. 2026, 312)

  Next: Commencement by royal decree (date not yet set)

• France · In parliament

  Proposition de loi apportant une réponse intégrale au phénomène des violences sexuelles et sexistes contre les femmes et les enfants (n° 3106, 'loi intégrale')

  Next: First reading in the Sénat (text n° 45, 2026-2027); accelerated procedure, so a joint committee (CMP) may follow

• Iceland · Consultation

  Draft bill amending the purchase provision of the General Penal Code (S-177/2026)

  Next: Introduction of the bill in the Althingi

• Switzerland · In parliament

  Interpellation 26.4329 on a Swiss-linked platform used for the prostitution of minors

  Next: Federal Council answer

• Germany · In parliament

  Bill to strengthen criminal prosecution of trafficking and sexual exploitation and transpose Directive (EU) 2024/1712 (BT-Drs. 21/6584)

  Next: Report of the Legal Affairs Committee and second/third reading in the Bundestag; no date published as of 30 October 2026.

• South Korea · In parliament

  Full revision of the Sex Trade Punishment Act (lead sponsor Jeon Jin-sook)

  Last updated 23 September 2026

• Japan · Under review

  Revision of the Prostitution Prevention Act after the Justice Ministry study group on regulating the buying and selling of sex

  Next: Justice Ministry drafting of an amendment bill. In August 2026 the press reported that it might be submitted to the autumn 2026 extraordinary Diet session; no submission had been confirmed by 30 October 2026.

• Netherlands · In parliament

  Wet gemeentelijk toezicht seksbedrijven (bill 36 948)

  Last updated 7 September 2026

• Botswana · In parliament

  Private member's motion: Decriminalisation of Sex Work (G. Lekau MP)

  Last updated 11 August 2026

• Thailand · In parliament

  Sex Service Provider Protection Bill B.E. ... (ร่าง พ.ร.บ.คุ้มครองผู้ให้บริการทางเพศ), citizens' initiative

  Next: Prime Minister's endorsement as a financial bill; the Constitution sets no deadline and no endorsement had been reported by 30 October 2026

• Czechia · Under review

  Prosecution of the operators of Sex.cz / EOL.cz for procuring

  Next: Decision of the High Court in Prague if the prosecutor's complaint against the discontinuance is pursued

• Nepal · Proposed

  Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) (First Amendment) Bill

  Last updated 29 July 2026

• Andorra · Adopted

  Projecte de llei qualificada de modificació del Codi penal (online sexual offences, age of consent, digital facilitation of sexual services)

  Next: Publication in the BOPA and entry into force; final wording of the prostitution provisions to be checked

• Sweden · Under review

  National exit programme for people exploited in prostitution (SOU 2023:97)

  Last updated 30 June 2026

• United Kingdom · Proposed

  Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner: call for a consultation on prohibiting adult services websites

  Last updated 17 June 2026

• Lithuania · In parliament

  Bill XVP-1218 amending Article 487 of the Code of Administrative Offences (higher fines for buyers)

  Next: Committee report and plenary vote; a plenary debate was scheduled for 14 June 2026 but no result was found.

• Netherlands · Stalled

  Wet regulering sekswerk (bill 35 715)

  Last updated 13 May 2026

• Netherlands · Under review

  Exploration of a 'pimp ban' (pooierverbod)

  Last updated 13 May 2026

• United States · In parliament

  New York: Cecilia's Act for Rights in the Sex Trades (S2513-A / A3251)

  Last updated 12 May 2026

• United Kingdom · Adopted

  Crime and Policing Act 2026, ss.116-117: disregards and pardons for under-18 soliciting convictions

  Next: Commencement by regulations under s.255 (no date set when reviewed)

• Portugal · In parliament

  Projeto de Resolução 557/XVII/1: national plan to support women leaving prostitution

  Last updated 13 February 2026

• France · In parliament

  Proposition de loi visant à lutter contre l'exploitation sexuelle en ligne (Sénat n° 133, AN n° 2462)

  Next: Examination by the Assemblée nationale's law committee; its wording was taken over in Art. 25 of the loi intégrale

• Denmark · Under review

  Working group on the living conditions of people who sell sex

  Last updated 9 February 2026

• Thailand · Consultation

  Members' bills to replace or amend the Entertainment Places Act B.E. 2509

  Last updated February 2026

• Malta · Stalled

  Government reform on human trafficking and prostitution (decriminalisation proposal)

  Last updated 2026

• Serbia · Proposed

  Ombudsman's draft amendments to the Law on Public Order and Peace

  Last updated 26 December 2025

• Brazil · In parliament

  PL 778/2025 (street prostitution as a misdemeanour)

  Next: Constitution and Justice Committee, then the Chamber plenary and the Senate

• Canada · Under review

  Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform v. Attorney General: appeal to the Court of Appeal for Ontario

  Last updated 10 November 2025

• Germany · Proposed

  Proposals for a Nordic-model ban on buying sex

  Last updated 6 November 2025

• Switzerland · Under review

  Postulate 25.3808: update of the 2015 report on human trafficking and prostitution

  Next: Federal Council report updating its 2015 report "Prostitution und Menschenhandel zum Zweck der sexuellen Ausbeutung"

• South Africa · Under review

  SH and SWEAT v Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and Others (Western Cape High Court)

  Last updated 5 September 2025

• Kuwait · Under review

  Committee to draft a new Penal Code

  Last updated 26 August 2025

• Haiti · Stalled

  Entry into force of the 2020 Penal Code

  Last updated 9 July 2025

• Italy · In parliament

  Senate bill S.1523 'Disposizioni in materia di esercizio della prostituzione' (Fazzone, Forza Italia)

  Last updated 2 July 2025

• Mexico · In parliament

  Bill adding a chapter on sex work (Trabajo Sexual) to the Federal Labour Law (Zamora Gastélum, PRI)

  Last updated 7 May 2025

• Thailand · Stalled

  Government draft Sex Service Protection Bill (ร่าง พ.ร.บ.คุ้มครองการให้บริการทางเพศ), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security

  Last updated 6 April 2025

• Ireland · Under review

  Review of the operation of section 7A (Part 4 of the 2017 Act)

  Last updated 25 March 2025

• Kenya · Proposed

  Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (Judiciary proposal)

  Last updated 14 February 2025

• Colombia · In parliament

  Proyecto de Ley 186 de 2023 Senado (regulation of sex work)

  Last updated 30 January 2025

• Serbia · Proposed

  Equality Commissioner's initiative to amend Articles 3 and 16

  Last updated 6 December 2024

• Sierra Leone · Under review

  Amendment or repeal of the loitering laws ordered by the ECOWAS Court

  Last updated 7 November 2024

• Latvia · Stalled

  Draft Prostitution Restriction Law (Prostitūcijas ierobežošanas likums)

  Last updated 29 September 2024

• Uruguay · In parliament

  Proyecto de ley de protección del trabajo sexual (Carpeta N° 4431 de 2024)

  Last updated August 2024

• Croatia · Proposed

  New law on public order and peace (Ministry of the Interior working group)

  Last updated 24 June 2024

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Adopted

  Criminal Code (Amendment) Act raising penalties for sexual offences

  Last updated 5 April 2024

• Saudi Arabia · Under review

  Penal Code for Discretionary Sanctions (draft)

  Last updated April 2024

• New Zealand · Stalled

  Calls to amend or repeal s 19 (temporary visa holders)

  Last updated 23 October 2023

• Greece · Under review

  Review of Law 2734/1999 (National Action Plan for Gender Equality 2021–2025, Action 1.4.3)

  Last updated November 2021

• Cyprus · Stalled

  AKEL bill to criminalise the purchase of sexual services

  Last updated November 2020

Recent milestones

• 27 October 2026 · Morocco

  Public debate on repealing Article 490 resumes after the 2026 legislative elections; no repeal bill is reported as tabled.

• 22 October 2026 · Rwanda

  The UN Human Rights Committee questions Rwanda on detention in transit centres for "deviant behaviour".

• 20 October 2026 · Burkina Faso

  The Assemblée législative du peuple adopts a new Penal Code; its prostitution provisions were not reported.

• 20 October 2026 · Ecuador

  National Assembly passes a reform of the trafficking law and the COIP raising trafficking penalties.

• 13 October 2026 · France

  The Assemblée nationale adopts the loi intégrale on sexual and sexist violence at first reading; it is sent to the Sénat.

• 13 October 2026 · Gabon

  A bill raising the penalties of Article 212 (public morals) and adding offences on same-sex relations is presented to the National Assembly's law commission.

• 7 October 2026 · France

  The Assemblée nationale adopts government amendment n° 1274 rewriting Art. 25 of the loi intégrale: the extension of procuring to remote paid sexual acts is replaced by an online sexual exploitation offence.

• 6 October 2026 · Netherlands

  Tweede Kamer passes bill 36 835 including new art. 250b Sr on identity and age verification by sex-ad platforms.

• 6 October 2026 · Spain

  Royal Decree 806/2026 dissolves the Cortes and calls a general election for 29 November 2026; pending bills, including the public-safety law reform, lapse.

• October 2026 · Somalia

  The federal Parliament approves the long-delayed Sexual Offences and Misconduct Bill; its text is not published.

• 29 September 2026 · Netherlands

  Eerste Kamer passes the Wet modernisering en uitbreiding strafbaarstelling mensenhandel (published Stb. 2026, 312 on 14 October).

• 24 September 2026 · Sweden

  Riksrevisionen (RiR 2026:18) reports that border police detain and refuse entry to people who sell sex, contrary to Sweden's anti-trafficking obligations.

• 23 September 2026 · Germany

  Bundestag Legal Affairs Committee holds an expert hearing on the trafficking bill.

• 22 September 2026 · Netherlands

  Tweede Kamer adopts a motion asking that the age-21 minimum apply to all sex work.

• 18 September 2026 · Iceland

  Draft bill published for consultation; it would abolish fines for buying sex and double the maximum penalty for buying sex from a child.

• 17 September 2026 · Japan

  The study group adopts its final report at its ninth meeting, recommending an offence for buyers' soliciting and higher fines.

• 17 September 2026 · South Korea

  Bill for a full revision of the Sex Trade Punishment Act, decriminalising people who sell sex, introduced in the National Assembly.

• 9 September 2026 · Czechia

  Constitutional Court order II. ÚS 2549/26 rejects the second complaint, on legitimate expectation, against NSS judgment 22 Afs 67/2026-53.

• 5 September 2026 · Nigeria

  The Kano State Hisbah Board announces 22 arrests over an alleged illegal event, saying ten of the women were suspected sex workers and would be prosecuted.

• 1 September 2026 · Belgium

  The new Criminal Code enters into force. The prostitution offences become arts. 265–272, and unlawful advertising drops to a level-1 penalty with no principal prison sentence.

• 31 August 2026 · Czechia

  Constitutional Court order II. ÚS 1155/26 rejects the taxpayer's complaint and classes income from prostitution as income from an independent profession under § 7(2) of the Income Tax Act.

• 21 August 2026 · Germany

  Destatis reports about 32,500 registered sex workers at the end of 2025 (+0.7%).

• 19 August 2026 · Portugal

  Law 53/2026 amends the trafficking offence in art. 160 of the Penal Code.

• 11 August 2026 · Botswana

  The Evangelical Fellowship of Botswana calls a nationwide prayer campaign to stop the motion.

• 11 August 2026 · Thailand

  Empower petitions Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to endorse the bill.

• 4 August 2026 · Botswana

  A private member's motion asking the Government to decriminalise sex work by repealing ss. 155 and 156 of the Penal Code is scheduled in the National Assembly.

• 4 August 2026 · Czechia

  The Municipal Court in Prague discontinues, not finally, the procuring prosecution of eight people and the company behind Sex.cz, holding that selling ad space for a fixed fee is not procuring.

• 3 August 2026 · Dominican Republic

  The new Penal Code enters into force, repealing the 1884 code as regards the offences it defines.

• August 2026 · South Africa

  The Justice department says the redrafted bill will go to Cabinet and be gazetted for comment, with introduction in Parliament likely in 2027.

• 29 July 2026 · Nepal

  The Cabinet approves submitting the First Amendment Bill to the Federal Parliament.

• 27 July 2026 · Dominican Republic

  Law 44-26 amends the new code before it takes effect, raising the maximum for basic procuring from three to five years and dropping 'forcing' from the procuring definition.

• 21 July 2026 · Libya

  A video filmed in Sabha shows a woman being flogged for adultery under Law No. 70 in a public street rather than at a police station as the law requires; the Judicial Police announces an investigation.

• 20 July 2026 · United States

  Pennsylvania's Act 41 of 2026 makes patronising prostitution a felony on a third offence and raises buyers' minimum fines.

• 18 July 2026 · Canada

  Protecting Victims Act (S.C. 2026, c. 19) in force: maximum for buying sexual services from a person under 18 raised to 14 years.

• 15 July 2026 · Andorra

  Consell General adopts a Penal Code reform including a new offence of facilitating sexual services in the digital environment.

• 13 July 2026 · Sweden

  Stricter conduct ('vandel') requirements for residence permits take effect; the bill states that prostitution in itself is not a conduct deficiency.

• 10 July 2026 · Thailand

  The Speaker and House committee chairs classify the bill as a financial bill (17 to 6), making the Prime Minister's endorsement a precondition for debate.

• 7 July 2026 · Hong Kong

  Government launches a consultation on reforming sexual offences; prostitution offences are outside its scope.

• 7 July 2026 · Iceland

  The Ministry of Justice put plans to abolish fines for buying sex out to consultation.

• 1 July 2026 · Burkina Faso

  The Ouagadougou II court convicts 13 women of soliciting through WhatsApp and five people of procuring, including administrators of WhatsApp groups.

• July 2026 · Israel

  The State Comptroller reports that enforcement of the consumption ban and against brothels is insufficient.

• 22 June 2026 · Germany

  Government trafficking and sexual-exploitation bill (BT-Drs. 21/6584) introduced in the Bundestag; first reading on 26 June.

• 14 June 2026 · Belgium

  The FPS Employment reports 22 applications for employer recognition since early 2025: 12 granted (3 in Flanders, 9 in Wallonia, none in Brussels) and 6 refused or inadmissible.

• 13 June 2026 · Romania

  Law No. 92/2026 amends the fine bands of Law No. 61/1991, including the band applying to public soliciting.

• 5 June 2026 · San Marino

  Report of plea bargains under art. 278 for a sex worker contacted through a website and her partner (events of April 2024).

• 3 June 2026 · Netherlands

  Amsterdam coalition agreement drops the planned erotic centre in Zuid.

• 29 May 2026 · India

  In Prajwala v Union of India (2026 INSC 609), the Supreme Court holds that trafficking survivors have a fundamental right to rehabilitation under Articles 21 and 23 and issues a Victim Protection Plan. Commentators report it requires a magistrate to ask a rescued adult whether she sells sex voluntarily and whether she wants protective custody.

• 28 May 2026 · Norway

  The Storting's justice committee recommended rejecting a proposal for a public review of the purchase and procuring provisions.

• 28 May 2026 · Thailand

  Empower Foundation submits the citizen Sex Service Provider Protection Bill to the House with 11,765 signatures.

• 21 May 2026 · Netherlands

  Wet gemeentelijk toezicht seksbedrijven (36 948) submitted to the Tweede Kamer.

• 13 May 2026 · Netherlands

  Government letter: Wrs not continued; minimum age to be raised to 21 by law; Wgts bill announced.

• 29 April 2026 · United Kingdom

  Crime and Policing Act 2026 receives Royal Assent with no offence of publishing prostitution adverts; it adds disregards and pardons for under-18 soliciting convictions.

• 9 April 2026 · Lithuania

  Seimas approved bill XVP-1218 after presentation, proposing to raise fines for buyers of sex roughly tenfold.

• 2 April 2026 · Georgia

  Constitutional Court (second board) rejected claim No. 1354, upholding the administrative ban on prostitution; one judge dissented.

• 1 April 2026 · Belgium

  Schaerbeek and Saint-Josse impose a 01:00–06:00 night closure, brothels included, on the Brabant quarter around Brussels-North. It is extended to the end of September 2026.

• 1 April 2026 · Netherlands

  Major sex-ad platforms begin identity checks (age, nationality) on all new ads after talks with prosecutors.

• 30 March 2026 · Belgium

  The law of 30 March 2026 (arts. 252–253) postpones the entry into force of the new Criminal Code from 8 April to 1 September 2026.

• 12 March 2026 · Uganda

  The Sexual Offences Bill, 2024 is withdrawn after the Speaker said the government considered its offences already covered by existing law.

• 11 March 2026 · United States

  Colorado's bill to decriminalise adult commercial sex (SB26-097) is postponed indefinitely in committee.

• March 2026 · United Kingdom

  Lords report stage of the Crime and Policing Bill (25 February-18 March 2026): amendments to create an offence of facilitating prostitution, including publishing adverts (303, 306A), and to criminalise paying for sex (304) are not moved.

• 26 February 2026 · United Kingdom

  The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner publishes "Behind the Profile" on sexual exploitation through adult services websites.

• 15 February 2026 · Spain

  Barcelona's new civic-coexistence ordinance (Ordenança de convivència) enters into force.

• 10 February 2026 · Comoros

  Seven women of Malagasy origin and three men appear before the Moroni criminal court charged with fornication, prostitution, procuring and public-order offences; the defence argues the code has no prostitution offence.

• 10 February 2026 · France

  The Sénat adopts a bill creating an offence of online sexual exploitation; it is sent to the Assemblée nationale as n° 2462.

• 10 February 2026 · Japan

  The Justice Minister announces a study group on regulating the buying and selling of sex, citing the Prime Minister's instruction of November 2025.

• 9 February 2026 · Denmark

  Government working group published its report on the living conditions of people who sell sex.

• 3 February 2026 · United Kingdom

  Scottish Parliament rejects the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1, 54 votes to 64.

• 28 January 2026 · Albania

  Law No. 8/2026 amends Article 114 and adds Article 114/a/1 on exploiting the prostitution of minors.

• 26 January 2026 · Azerbaijan

  Law No. 334-VIIQD of 30 December 2025 published, adding Article 524.2: AZN 500 fine for open calls to engage in prostitution online.

• 2 January 2026 · Indonesia

  The new Criminal Code enters into force, including the complaint-based offences of adultery and cohabitation.

• 1 January 2026 · China

  Revised Public Security Administration Punishments Law takes effect, raising the fine for minor cases of selling or buying sex to up to 1,000 yuan and requiring violation records to be sealed.

• 2026 · Bulgaria

  Amendments to the Criminal Code (State Gazette Nos. 27 and 32 of 2026) revise sexual offences, including the prostitution-related provisions on minors.

• 26 December 2025 · Serbia

  Ombudsman's draft would extend the prostitution misdemeanour to social networks.

• 19 December 2025 · United States

  New York's chapter 686 of 2025 is signed, giving people in prostitution immunity from prosecution when they report or help prosecute a crime.

• 17 December 2025 · Brazil

  Chamber of Deputies news agency reports PL 778/2025, which would make street prostitution a misdemeanour.

• 15 December 2025 · Vietnam

  Decree 282/2025/ND-CP enters into force, replacing Decree 144/2021/ND-CP.

• 12 December 2025 · United Arab Emirates

  A Federal Decree-Law amending the Crimes and Penalties Law is announced: Article 409 adds at least ten years and AED 100,000 for adults having sex with a person under 18, and Article 417's minimum for inciting prostitution rises to two years.

• 24 November 2025 · Germany

  Expert commission on the protection of sex workers holds its first meeting.

• 18 November 2025 · South Africa

  The Deputy Minister of Justice holds a two-day workshop with sex worker representatives and government departments on a regulatory framework.

• 6 November 2025 · Germany

  Health Minister Nina Warken backs Bundestag President Julia Klöckner's call for a ban on buying sex.

• 30 October 2025 · Vietnam

  The Government issues Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, raising the fines for buying and selling sex.

• 20 October 2025 · Argentina

  Law 6839 amending the Buenos Aires City Contravention Code is published; the consolidated code keeps the public-space and leaflet contraventions (arts. 96-97).

• 6 October 2025 · Czechia

  Supreme Administrative Court judgment 22 Afs 24/2025-48: income from voluntary prostitution is taxable; neither the 1950 Convention nor § 189 prevents taxation.

• 15 September 2025 · Switzerland

  Postulate 25.3808, asking the Federal Council to update its 2015 report, is referred to the Federal Council.

• 1 September 2025 · Gabon

  The Libreville court of first instance convicts two organisers of a WhatsApp-based prostitution network of procuring and 13 women of an offence against public morals.

• September 2025 · South Africa

  The NPA confirms a directive under which prosecutors stop enrolling sex-work cases while the court challenge is pending. The High Court admits dozens of organisations to the case.

• 26 August 2025 · Kuwait

  The Ministry of Justice announces a committee to draft a new Penal Code.

• 3 August 2025 · Dominican Republic

  Law 74-25 instituting a new Penal Code is promulgated (Gaceta Oficial 11208, 5 August 2025), with entry into force set twelve months later.

• 24 July 2025 · Canada

  Supreme Court of Canada, R. v. Kloubakov, 2025 SCC 25: unanimously upholds the material-benefit and procuring offences, interpreting them to allow cooperative work and hired security.

• 24 July 2025 · Nepal

  The government tables the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) (First Amendment) Bill in the House of Representatives.

• 16 July 2025 · Kazakhstan

  Law No. 210-VIII further amends Article 309 of the Criminal Code.

• 1 July 2025 · Sweden

  The purchase offence is renamed 'köp av sexuell handling' and, together with procuring, extended to sexual acts performed at a distance, such as paid live webcam shows (Lag 2025:586).

• July 2025 · Egypt

  Authorities begin a campaign of arrests and prosecutions of social-media content creators on charges including violating family values and inciting debauchery.

• July 2025 · The Gambia

  Courts are hearing charges under the newly enacted Criminal Offences Act 2025, showing it is in force.

• 28 June 2025 · Japan

  The Entertainment Business Act amendment (Act No. 45 of 2025, promulgated 28 May) takes effect. It bans exploiting a customer's romantic feelings and demanding that customers sell sex or do sex work to pay their bills, bans scout referral fees, and raises penalties for unlicensed operation to five years and/or ¥10 million (¥300 million for companies).

• 27 June 2025 · China

  Revised Public Security Administration Punishments Law adopted (Presidential Order No. 49); the prostitution provisions move to Articles 78–79.

• 24 June 2025 · Germany

  Government submits the KFN evaluation of the Prostitutes Protection Act to the Bundestag, with 64 recommendations.

• 24 June 2025 · Haiti

  Scheduled entry into force of the 2020 Penal Code after a further twelve-month postponement; reports conflict on whether it took effect.

• 16 June 2025 · Japan

  The Supreme Court (First Petty Bench, 4–1) upholds the exclusion of sex businesses from COVID-19 business grants.

• 5 June 2025 · Italy

  Senate bill S.1523 to regulate prostitution and replace the Legge Merlin is filed.

• 28 May 2025 · Bahrain

  Law No. 25 of 2025 replaces Art. 354 on inciting passers-by to debauchery, together with the privacy offences in Arts. 370 and 372.

• 20 May 2025 · United Kingdom

  Scotland: Ash Regan MSP introduces the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill to criminalise buying sex.

• 7 May 2025 · Mexico

  Deputy Mario Zamora Gastélum (PRI) tables a bill to recognise sex work as non-salaried work in the Federal Labour Law.

• 7 May 2025 · United States

  Utah's recodified prostitution offences take effect in the new Chapter 76-5d of its criminal code.

• 16 April 2025 · Ghana

  Police in Ayamfuri, Central Region, arrest 42 people at two brothels in an operation on drugs and prostitution; some of the 32 foreign women arrested say they were trafficked.

• 11 April 2025 · Togo

  The Togolese national police issue a warning that procuring is a crime, naming clients among those liable under Arts. 401 and 402 of the Penal Code.

• 10 April 2025 · Italy

  ISTAT clarifies that ATECO code 96.99 applies nationally only to lawful activities, after controversy over escort services in the new classification.

• 4 April 2025 · Thailand

  The National Human Rights Commission finds that Khon Kaen police unlawfully arrested and fined nine women for soliciting in June 2024, citing an offence repealed in 1996.

• 28 March 2025 · The Gambia

  The National Assembly passes the Criminal Offences Act 2025, repealing the Criminal Code of 1933 (Cap. 10:01).

• 25 March 2025 · Ireland

  The Department of Justice published the statutory review of section 7A, which found the offence difficult to enforce.

• 17 March 2025 · United Kingdom

  Online Safety Act 2023 illegal-content duties become enforceable, covering adult services websites; controlling prostitution for gain is a priority offence.

• 13 March 2025 · Namibia

  The Namibian reports growing calls from lawyers and sex worker groups to decriminalise sex work; no government position is reported.

• March 2025 · Belgium

  Nine associations led by isala asbl file an annulment action against the 2024 labour law at the Constitutional Court.

• 13 February 2025 · Kenya

  Sex-worker and health NGOs present a policy brief calling for decriminalisation to Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris.

• 2025 · Israel

  The Knesset extends the temporary provision until 10 July 2030 after a bill to make it permanent is blocked in committee.

• 2025 · Pakistan

  The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025 adds a regime for social media platforms, including removal orders for obscene or pornographic content (section 2R).

• 2025 · Slovakia

  Police record two procuring offences under § 367 for the year, none of them solved by year end, after eight in 2023 and two in 2024.

• 13 December 2024 · Mali

  The Transition President promulgates Law No. 2024-027, repealing the 2001 Penal Code (Law No. 01-079).

• 6 December 2024 · Serbia

  Equality Commissioner resubmits initiative to amend the prostitution provisions of the public order law.

• 1 December 2024 · Belgium

  The law of 3 May 2024 enters into force. Recognised employers may now hire sex workers on employment contracts.

• December 2024 · Israel

  The government-commissioned evaluation by the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute reports uneven enforcement concentrated in three police stations.

• 7 November 2024 · Lithuania

  Seimas adopted Law No. XIV-3060 amending Articles 307 and 308 of the Criminal Code.

• 7 November 2024 · Sierra Leone

  The ECOWAS Court rules in AdvocAid Limited v Republic of Sierra Leone that the loitering laws are discriminatory and must be amended or repealed.

• 3 November 2024 · Romania

  Law No. 269/2024 repeals the aggravated paragraphs of the procuring offence (Article 213(2)–(3^1)).

• 31 October 2024 · Mali

  The National Transitional Council adopts a new Penal Code.

• 14 October 2024 · Uganda

  The Sexual Offences Bill, 2024 is re-tabled for first reading by Anna Adeke Ebaju.

• October 2024 · South Africa

  Reports describe the challenge by SWEAT and a sex worker in the Western Cape High Court to the laws criminalising sex work.

• 2 September 2024 · Benin

  Police in Cotonou's 12th arrondissement report about twenty sex workers arrested for soliciting in an operation begun a week earlier.

• 2 August 2024 · Australia

  Queensland's decriminalisation commences: Criminal Code Chapter 22A and the Prostitution Act 1999 are repealed and the Prostitution Licensing Authority is abolished.

• August 2024 · United States

  Backpage co-founder Michael Lacey is sentenced to five years for international concealment money laundering; in November the Ninth Circuit grants bail pending appeal.

• August 2024 · Uruguay

  Chamber of Deputies Labour Committee recommends a bill to replace Law 17.515 and abolish the sex work register.

• 29 July 2024 · Kyrgyzstan

  Law No. 153 sets the current wording of the prostitution offence (fine of 200 units or three to seven days' arrest) and of the offences of paid participation in webcam streams and organising webcam studios (Articles 109-1 and 160-1).

• 25 July 2024 · France

  European Court of Human Rights, M.A. and Others v. France: no violation of Article 8 by the criminalisation of buying sexual acts (Chamber, unanimous).

• 5 July 2024 · Kazakhstan

  Law No. 111-VIII amends the Criminal and Administrative Codes, extending the prostitution offences to "other sexual services", including those provided remotely such as webcam shows. It also makes internet use and advertising aggravating factors for pimping and brothel keeping. The changes took effect sixty days after publication, on 5 September 2024 according to press reports.

• 1 July 2024 · Iraq

  Law No. 15 of 2024 is published in Al-Waqa'i al-Iraqiya, issue 4781, and enters into force.

• 1 July 2024 · Netherlands

  Sexual Offences Act in force; paying a 16- or 17-year-old for sex now penalised by art. 245 Sr.

• 1 July 2024 · Sweden

  Tenancy reform: a lease can be forfeited where premises are used for serious or habitual crime, which the bill states covers paid sexual relations.

• July 2024 · Afghanistan

  UNAMA reports on the moral oversight exercised by the de facto Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, including restrictions on media and on women's movement.

• 27 June 2024 · Iraq

  President Abdul Latif Rashid ratifies the amendment and sends it for publication in the official gazette.

• 24 June 2024 · Croatia

  Interior minister confirms a working group is drafting a new public order law.

• 13 June 2024 · Belgium

  Royal decree of 18 May 2024 setting the conditions for dedicated advertising platforms is published.

• 7 June 2024 · Belgium

  Amendment of the advertising article by the law of 15 May 2024 enters into force. It adds a legal basis for platforms' processing of advertiser data, with retention of up to three years.

• 7 June 2024 · Mexico

  Trafficking law amended: higher penalties where victims are under 18 or in other listed vulnerable groups, including for knowingly buying from a victim (art. 35), and ICT platforms named in art. 14.

• 21 May 2024 · Spain

  Congress rejects the PSOE bill to prohibit procuring in all its forms, including tercería locativa and buying, by 122 votes to 184 with 36 abstentions.

• 3 May 2024 · Belgium

  Act on sex work under an employment contract adopted, after a plenary vote of 93 in favour, 0 against and 33 abstentions. It is published on 6 June 2024.

• 2 May 2024 · Australia

  Queensland Parliament passes the Criminal Code (Decriminalising Sex Work) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024; assent follows on 9 May 2024.

• 8 April 2024 · Belgium

  The new Criminal Code (Books I and II, laws of 29 February 2024) is published in the Moniteur belge, originally to enter into force two years later.

• 5 April 2024 · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

  Parliament passes a Criminal Code amendment raising the maxima for prostitution and brothel offences.

• 1 April 2024 · Japan

  The Act on Support for Women with Difficult Problems comes into force, abolishing guidance disposition and Women's Guidance Homes and removing the Prostitution Prevention Act's protective-rehabilitation chapter.

• April 2024 · Iraq

  The Council of Representatives passes the first amendment to the Anti-Prostitution Law, renaming it the Law on Combating Prostitution and Sexual Deviance.

• 20 February 2024 · Germany

  CDU/CSU parliamentary group, then in opposition, tables a motion to criminalise buying sex (BT-Drs. 20/10384).

• 20 February 2024 · Netherlands

  Amsterdam reverses the April 2023 weekend 03:00 closing time for Wallen windows, citing risks to sex workers.

• 20 February 2024 · Nicaragua

  Consolidated text of the Penal Code, incorporating all amendments up to 14 July 2023 (including the broadened procuring and trafficking offences), is published in La Gaceta No. 32.

• 17 February 2024 · Czechia

  The EU Digital Services Act becomes fully applicable. Czechia has not yet designated its Digital Services Coordinator by law: the Czech Telecommunication Office is to take the role under a pending Digital Economy Act, and in May 2025 the European Commission referred Czechia to the Court of Justice of the EU over the delay.

• 17 February 2024 · Slovakia

  The EU Digital Services Act becomes fully applicable. Slovakia's Digital Services Coordinator is the Council for Media Services; the Commission opened infringement proceedings over Slovakia's designation and empowerment of its coordinator on 24 April 2024 and closed them on 3 October 2024.

• 12 February 2024 · Nigeria

  The Kano State Hisbah Board reports arresting 15 young women in Kano city over alleged prostitution.

• 1 January 2024 · Czechia

  Act No. 276/2023 Coll. repeals the 1922 venereal diseases act, including its brothel ban, as obsolete.

• January 2024 · Austria

  The federal working group on sexual services publishes its report with recommendations, including allowing house visits and explicit brothel advertising.

• 2024 · Austria

  Vorarlberg exempts sexual assistance for people with severe disabilities in their homes from its prostitution ban (LGBl. Nr. 18/2024).

• 2024 · Thailand

  The Committee on Fines (opinion 878/2567) holds that s. 5 covers only soliciting visible to the public, not contact arranged privately by phone or in a massage room.