Aris: Happy ( :-) ), or sad ( :-( )?! EFL
North European countries have protested at what they say are plans to increase the number of brothels in the Greek capital, Athens, during next year’s Olympic Games. Gender equality ministers from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania issued a joint statement expressing their "abhorrence" at an alleged request by Athens City Council to boost permits for brothels to meet demand during the Games.
Time to cower, Athens: the Baltic Gender Equality Ministers are on the warpath, intent on burning both bras and the Parthenon Bordello(TM)
The row erupted earlier this month when the powerful Greek Orthodox Church which accused Athens’ authorities of promoting "sexual tourism" for the Olympics. Athens’ Mayor, Dora Bakoyiannis, denies the charge, saying she is only trying to regulate illegal brothels by making them apply for licenses. Greek authorities decided to implement a 1999 law which stipulates that all brothels must have permits. Presently only a few of the brothels in Athens have permits. Officials said they will give 230 permits while the law provides for 200. But ministers from the Nordic and Baltic countries said the plan was incompatible with Olympic ideals.
Sweat, exercise and nudity - what could be more original Olympian? Oh, an absence of ladies...
"It is with indignation and surprise that we have learned that Greece plans to increase brothel activities during the Olympics in Athens 2004," the letter said. "This will lead to more women being exploited and abused." Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Gender Equality, Margareta Winberg, wrote the letter and encouraged the other countries to sign. |