Latest news with #Halsema
The Irish Sun
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Amsterdam MEGA brothel takes huge leap towards becoming reality: 5-floor red light romp-factory to house 100 sex workers
AMSTERDAM may soon have a mega Dutch brothel that will span over five floors and house hundreds of sex workers. Incredible Advertisement 7 Sex workers are seen behind windows at the red light district in Amsterdam Credit: Corbis - Getty 7 The Moulin Rouge Bar and sex shop in Amsterdam's red light district Credit: Alamy 7 A concept photo shows the five-story mega-brothel that is being planned to replace the city's red light district Credit: Moke Architechten 7 Amsterdam City Council has long been planning to build a massive brothel to relocate prostitutes away from the city's current red light district. And from this week, residents will be able to respond to the plans that are being backed by the city's mayor herself. According to Femke Halsema, the space will ensure safer working conditions, reduce criminality and tackle human trafficking. Concept designs revealed in 2020 showed two towers in red and black with spiral ramps. Advertisement read more world news It comes as part of The city eventually plans to shut down the centuries-old red light district, which is popular for its neon-lit windows where sex workers stand and try to attract customers. But many residents - and prostitutes - have already voiced their concerns about the plans. World's largest brothel in Cologne Germany fully booked for Euros In December 2023, Mayor Halsema proposed that the building should be built in Zuid - an affluential district in the south of the city. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun The plans for a building solely dedicated to sex work were supposed to provide safe working conditions. But it has attracted a wealth of criticism claiming that it does the exact opposite. Some During a public discussion on the planning, former sex worker Mariska Majoor, said: "A prostitution window on the street is very different from one in a closed Advertisement "The location is dark at night. There will be more stigma and more danger. "I'm worried they will be waited for on the paths by people with nefarious plans." While another sex worker added: "Sex workers have moved from doorways to windows…and now into a segregated centre pushed to the edge of town, out of sight, out of mind. "Keep your laws off our bodies and no erotic prisons." Advertisement Over 40 people spoke out against the plans during the public discussion - with some even going as far as to compare the brothel to a 16th century "spinning house" that marked "fallen women". The A spokesman for the agency said: 'EMA is very concerned that this will create safety, security and nuisance issues. 'The change of the location of the red light district is motivated by concerns of nuisance, drug-dealing, drunkenness and disorderly behaviour. Advertisement 'Locating the Erotic Centre in close proximity to EMA's building is likely to bring the same negative impacts to the adjacent area. 7 A sex worker standing infront of a mirror in the red light area Credit: Getty - Contributor 7 Amsterdam's red-light district at night Credit: Getty 7 The plans for a building solely dedicated to sex work was supposed to provide safe working conditions Credit: Getty Advertisement '(We will be taking this to the) highest appropriate political and diplomatic level to ensure a safe working environment. 'EMA's work is essential for the protection of public health in the EU, and this should not be jeopardised by fears of staff and EU experts coming to EMA's building.' So far, only seven people have spoken out in favour of the plans - among them, a male sex worker called Richard Jones. Jones believes that the mega brothel could create more space for sex workers from minority groups. Advertisement He said that these sex workers are currently working in homes , either their own or their clients, and that this poses a big safety risk. Jones went on to argue that if they had access to a large space, tailor-made for sex work, these minorities would be much safer. He also added: 'People who say they don't want it in their neighbourhood don't realise it is already happening…with their husbands, their friends, with them themselves. "At the moment, your houses are our workplaces.' Advertisement Inside the rise of AI brothels By Sarah Bull, Senior Reporter IT'S a city famous for its landmarks and culture. But beneath The German capital is the first place in the world to open an And shockingly, there are also numerous people who use the AI "women" solely to abuse - without any fear of the consequences - and then share the disturbing images of their actions on social media. Writer Laura Bates experienced Cybrothel first hand when she visited for her new book The New Age of Sexism: How the AI Revolution is Reinventing Misogyny. And in an interview on the She said they were happy to, with "no questions asked". You can even order a doll "covered in blood", Laura said. "I genuinely think it's the most f***ed up thing I've ever heard in my life," podcast host Em Clarkson said. But Cybrothel co-owner Matthias Smetana insisted of the sessions available there: "If you are here, the only person who can judge you is yourself." 'We have a lot of people who have never been in touch with sex work, who are really down to try it but are looking for a safe space," he told "If you face performance anxiety, this doesn't go in Cybrothel as you are dealing with sex toys, not humans." And it's not just in a cyber brothel in Berlin that people are able to "enjoy" the perks of an AI sex robot - advancing technology means you can have one in your pocket too. Read the full story
Leaders
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Dutch Municipalities Criticize Human Rights Violations in Gaza
Several Dutch municipalities have supported Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema who urged the government to hold Israel to account over its war in Gaza, according to Dutch News. Amsterdam City 'It is not without reason that the NIOD and many independent human rights organizations speak of genocidal violence. We must leave the political difference of opinion behind us,' Halsema said to the Amsterdam city council earlier this week. Halsema noted that when it comes to human rights there can be no double standards. 'That means that Hamas must be prosecuted, that means antisemitism must always and everywhere be fought. And it also means that the international community, Europe and the Netherlands must stand side by side with innocent Palestinians and Gazans who are being killed,' she added. Furthermore, the mayor said that she would take a step and send a letter to the Dutch government urging ministers to take actions against the ongoing war in Gaza. Utrecht city Importantly, Utrecht city council adopted a suggestion last week advising politicians to 'use the right words', stating that the council itself had been so hesitant regarding the use of the word 'genocide' in any contexts related to Gaza. Normally, it is not up to the municipality to speak out about international politics, but the terrible situation in Gaza and the violation of the ceasefire by Israel touches the hearts of our residents,' Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma said. Katwijk Municipality Meanwhile, the group Christen voor Israël organized an event in the seaside resort of Katwijk to mark the creation of the state 77 years ago. However, a group of counter demonstrators gathered outside the church and there were several clashes, and the police arrested some of the demonstrators. Leiden City Leiden Mayor Peter Heijkoop said it was time for the government to take a firmer position. 'Israel has the right to defend itself,' he told Nieuwsuur. 'But that right has limits. In the counter-reaction from the state of Israel, proportionality and humanity are now hard to find. And by bombing civilian targets and refusing emergency aid, the state of Israel is completely overstepping the boundaries.' Related Topics: Spanish PM Calls Israel 'Genocidal State', Ambassador Summoned for Reprimand Macron Accuses Israel of Committing 'Shameful and Disgraceful' Actions in Gaza Palestinian VP Discusses Gaza War with Qatari PM Short link : Post Views: 103
Saba Yemen
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Mayor of Amsterdam calls for end to destruction, starvation of Palestinians in Gaza
Amsterdam - Saba: Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema called on Wednesday the Dutch government to take a firm stand against the destruction, starvation, and brutal killing of Palestinians in Gaza. According to Russia Today, Halsema confirmed on Wednesday that "the fate of the Gazans deeply affects many residents of the Dutch capital." This came during a City Council session, where she warned against double standards in dealing with human rights crises. Citing reports from the Dutch National Institute for Security Studies and international human rights organizations, Halsema said: "It is not unreasonable to talk about genocidal violence in Gaza. It is time to put aside political differences and focus on saving lives." She added that the international community, including the Netherlands, is obligated to stand against human rights violations. Halsema announced that she will send an official letter to the Dutch cabinet tomorrow, urging it to pressure Israel to immediately cease violence and exercise restraint, support practical measures to end the destruction of Gaza and prevent starvation in the Strip, and recognize UN recommendations that indicate "practices that may amount to genocide" in the Gaza Strip. She said, "The government's talk about stopping the violence will be meaningless without concrete steps to enforce peace." Halsema's position comes days after the Utrecht City Council adopted a motion criticizing the Dutch government's "reservation" to describe the events in Gaza as "genocide," despite the term being consistent with reports by Amnesty International and the United Nations. A majority of parties emphasized that the use of precise language is a "moral issue." This comes amid mounting public pressure in the Netherlands to take a firm stance against the bloody Israeli war on Gaza. It also comes amid controversy over the term "genocide," which has sparked European discussions after Spain officially used it. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
25-04-2025
- Politics
Amsterdam mayor apologizes for the city's role in the Holocaust
AMSTERDAM -- The mayor of Amsterdam apologized Thursday for the role the Dutch capital played in the persecution of its Jewish citizens during World War II, saying the government at the time 'let its Jewish residents down terribly.' Speaking at an event marking Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day, Mayor Femke Halsema said that civil servants in Amsterdam played an active role in the murder of some thousands of Jewish citizens of the city. Of the estimated 80,000 Jews who lived in Amsterdam at the outbreak of World War II, only some 20,000 survived. Among those deported was teenage diarist Anne Frank and her family. Only her father, Otto, survived. 'The Amsterdam government, when it came down to it, was not heroic, not determined and not merciful. And it let its Jewish residents down terribly," Halsema said. "On behalf of the city government, I offer my apologies for this,' she added. Halsema spoke at Hollandsche Schouwburg, a theater which operated as a collection point for Jews who were deported to extermination camps. She recalled how the municipality helped with the registration of Jewish citizens and the drawing up of cards where Jews lived. 'Services were prepared to help enact one after the other anti-Jewish measure,' she said. 'Step by step, the municipal machine became part of the machinery of evil.' Halsema's apology — ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Netherlands' liberation from the Nazis — was not the first from the Netherlands. Five years ago, on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi death camp, then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologized for the failure of the Dutch government during the war. Some Dutch organizations have also issued apologies for their own roles in the historic tragedy. The Dutch national railway company apologized in 2005 for its role in transporting Jews to camps and announced it would pay reparations. In 2020, the Dutch Protestant Church made a far-reaching recognition of guilt for its failure to do more to help Jews during and after World War II. Halsema's apology comes six months after what she described as 'an eruption of antisemitism' in which Israeli fans were assaulted after a soccer game in the Netherlands. The attacks garnered headlines worldwide and more than sixty suspects were arrested. Four years ago, she apologized for Amsterdam's role in another dark moment in history, the global slave trade. ___
Vancouver Sun
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
'Machinery of evil': Amsterdam mayor apologizes for city's role in the Holocaust
Article content AMSTERDAM — The mayor of Amsterdam apologized on Thursday for the role the Dutch capital played in the persecution of its Jewish citizens during the Second World War, saying the government at the time 'let its Jewish residents down terribly.' Article content Article content Speaking at an event marking Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day, Mayor Femke Halsema said that civil servants in Amsterdam played an active role in the murder of thousands of the city's Jewish citizens. Article content Article content Of the estimated 80,000 Jews who lived in Amsterdam at the outbreak of the Second World War, only about 20,000 survived. Among those deported was teenage diarist Anne Frank and her family. Only her father, Otto, survived. Article content 'On behalf of the city government, I offer my apologies for this,' she added. Halsema spoke at Hollandsche Schouwburg, a theatre which operated as a collection point for Jews who were deported to extermination camps. Article content She recalled how the municipality helped with the registration of Jewish citizens and the drawing up of cards where Jews lived. Article content 'Services were prepared to help enact one after the other anti-Jewish measure,' she said. 'Step by step, the municipal machine became part of the machinery of evil.' Article content Article content Halsema's apology — ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Netherlands' liberation from the Nazis — was not the first from the Netherlands. Article content Article content Five years ago, on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi death camp, then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologized for the failure of the Dutch government during the war. Article content Article content Some Dutch organizations have also issued apologies for their own roles in the historic tragedy. The Dutch national railway company apologized in 2005 for its role in transporting Jews to camps and announced it would pay reparations. Article content Halsema's apology comes six months after what she described as 'an eruption of antisemitism' in which Israeli fans were assaulted after a soccer game in the Netherlands. The attacks garnered headlines worldwide and more than sixty suspects were arrested. Article content Four years ago, she apologized for Amsterdam's role in another dark moment in history, the global slave trade. Article content
