Abstracts: November 2002
November 1, 2002
Stormont trips up in lap dancing tangle
Belfast Telegraph
Michael McHugh
According to this article:
"The Department for Employment and Learning was accused today of "rubber stamping" the work permits of Estonian lap dancers. Monica McWilliams from the Women's Coalition, had originally raised the matter in the Assembly, claiming the applications had not been scrutinised by the Department."
Abstract to follow.
November 3, 2002
Lap-dancing lunacy
The Observer
Henry McDonald
OPINION
Bombs, guns and paedophile priests? Forget all that and target the strippers
Abstract to follow.
- http://observer.guardian.co.uk/nireland/
story/0,11008,824961,00.html
November 5, 2002
Lapdancing club faces CCTV move
Belfast Telegraph
Michael McHugh
According to this article:
THE only lapdancing club in Belfast will be subject to electronic surveillance if its licence is renewed, it emerged today. The Movie Star Cafe's entertainment licence is due for review next May and members of Belfast City Council have introduced a new provision which will demand the installation of CCTV security cameras in the premises.
Abstract to follow.
November 6, 2002
MORNING VIEW: TRADE IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT AND MUST BE
STAMPED OUT
According to this article:
"WITHIN THE GREAT TRADITION of investigative journalism, the BBC has always
enjoyed a proud and deserved reputation. It will be further enhanced by the
efforts of the Northern Ireland Spotlight team which was responsible for
uncovering a people-trafficking ring operating between the far-off Lithuanian
town of Vilnius and the green fields of Ulster.
What they uncovered for their People For Sale documentaries, the first
installment of which was broadcast last night, is as shocking as it is
disturbing. The Spotlight team connected with two young Lithuanian journalists
who posed as illegal immigrants and their hidden cameras reveal a life of
exploitation of the worst kind. Many of those who travelled with them are
mothers who left their children and their loved ones back in Lithuania."
Abstract to follow.
"Morning View: Trade in human trafficking is under the spotlight and must be
stamped out" Financial Times Nov. 6, 2002. Dec. 10, 2004.
<http://www.protectionproject.org/daily_new
s/2002/ne1106.htm>
November 8, 2002
Hume queries rules on entry
Belfast Telegraph
Michael McHugh
According to this article:
The Department of Employment and Learning came under renewed pressure today over its decision to grant work permits to eastern European lap dancers. SDLP MP John Hume has tabled questions at Westminister asking what standards and criteria had been adhered to by the Department in granting work permits to 17 Estonian lap dancers who work in Belfast's Movie Star Cafe. He is understood to be asking the question on behalf of party leader Mark Durkan, who has received questions on the matter from constituents.
Abstract to follow.
November 11, 2002
Scottish Parliament
Business Bulletin No. 161/2002
S1M-3540#
Ms Sandra White: Exploitation of Women
Section F : Motions and Amendments
Excerpt:
"That the Parliament notes with concern the increasing proliferation of lap-dancing clubs and other establishments of a similar nature throughout Scotland; further notes that the US-based firm Spearmint Rhino, reported to be linked with pornographic websites featuring the drugging, abduction and rape of women, has plans to expand its lap-dancing operations into Scotland; believes that these establishments encourage the exploitation of women and have no place in a modern Scotland seeking to promote equality and eradicate violence against women, and therefore considers that the Scottish Executive should monitor this situation closely and take whatever action is necessary to halt the spread of these establishments. Supported by: Alex Neil, Tommy Sheridan."
November 16, 2002
Women's Coalition Annual Conference Programme
The Manor House, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Conference Motions
Relevant text:
(8) Lap Dancing clubs regulation
Calling for a moratorium on work permits for lap dancing clubs, condemning the exploitation of these women in Lap Dancing clubs and calling for a full investigation into the work permit arrangements for the Movie Star Café, South Belfast. (passed)
November 16, 2002
Home Office reviews issue of lap dance work permits
South Belfast News (Print only)
According to this article:
Allegations that strict procedures governing the issue of work permits to sex trade workers were not followed by the Department of Employment and Learning are being closely examined by the British Home office, the South Belfast News has learned. A review of past procedure is understood to centre around the issuing of a block permit in July to a group of 17 young Eastern European lap dancers by the DEL, granting them permission to work in Belfast's first lap dancing club the Movie Star Café in Botanic.
Abstract to follow.
November 18, 2002
Call for lap dance clubs to be closed
Belfast Telegraph
Noel McAdam, Political Correspondent
According to this article:
The Women's Coalition has demanded a halt on lap-dancing clubs in Northern Ireland - and a formal investigation into permits granted to women in the south Belfast Movie Star Cafe. With only two votes against, the party's weekend annual conference condemned the "trafficking and exploitation" of the women brought to Belfast from eastern European countries. But one member told the 200 delegates at the gathering in Cultra that lap dancing is here to stay.
Abstract to follow.
November 19, 2002
Why Belfast doesn't need lap dancing
Belfast Telegraph
Esmond Birnie, MLA - OPINION
Abstract to follow.
November 19, 2002
Topical Issues In The Leisure & Licensing Sector
Breakfast Seminar At A & L Goodbody On Tuesday Morning 19 November, 2002
A&L Goodbody
Joe Kelly
According to this article:
"Briefly I will overview some areas of interest and concern that have arisen in the sector over the past few months.
Lap-Dancing Clubs
Moving on from what is considered acceptable or unacceptable in relation to police behaviour, brings me in a roundabout way to the increasing proliferation of lap-dancing clubs. The operation of lap-dancing clubs in Ireland is tolerated because of an apparent change in public attitude. Once upon a time, the Garda would have objected to the conduct and unfitness of an applicant for a licence if he/she operated such a club. In an apparent change of judicial policy, reflecting the change in public attitudes, the Courts have shown themselves unwilling to refuse the grant of a liquor licence simply because the licence holder permits lap-dancing to take place on his premises."
Abstract to follow.
- http://www.techlaw.ie/news/load.asp?file=PUB:868
November 24, 2002
Wives hit back as husbands feed growing addiction to lapdancing
The Observer
Tracy McVeigh
According to this article:
"On a rainy Friday night in a busy suburban road under the Heathrow flight path, the Old Northwood pub was heaving with a mostly male clientele. The Hillingdon bar is like thousands of others: flock wallpaper, well-worn upholstery and clouds of cigarette smoke. The difference is the naked woman writhing around to poorly amplified music, with one high-heel-clad foot on the pool table."
Abstract to follow.
Nov 26, 2002
Legal bid to block trade in vice girls
Fight to stop trafficking
The Scotsman
Diane King
According to this article:
"TOUGH new laws to stop foreign women and children being brought to Scotland to work as prostitutes were being proposed by ministers today, as part of major reforms planned for the criminal justice system. The Scottish Executive is proposing a new law against trafficking for sexual exploitation, where those found arranging transportation to or within this country for prostitution could face up to 14 years in prison. "
Abstract to follow.
November 28, 2002
Home Office Answers to Questions on Movie Star Café Leads Smyth to Call For Further Investigation.
Press Statement from Rev Martin Smyth MP
"Rev Martin Smyth MP has today received answers from the Home Office to written questions which he tabled in the House of Commons, regarding the lap-dancing club, the Movie Star Café in Botanic Avenue. The South Belfast MP, who has been working along with South Belfast MLA on the issue, said:
"What has been almost as disturbing as the allegations surrounding lap-dancing in Belfast, has been the accompanying confusion which has come from Government Departments on the issue. The Home Office has said that it did not carry out any investigation into these work permits, because they were issued before the responsibility was transferred back to them from the Department of Employment and Learning. However, as they now confirm that all the "available paperwork" has been transferred to the Work Permits UK section of the Home Office, I believe they should review this case."
"It is getting to the stage that an inquiry into the operation of the Movie Star Café, and the issuing of documentation for the workers there, may be the only measure that can clarify the situation. The constant allegations about what has been going on there, particularly about how the women are treated, must be taken seriously. The truth must be uncovered and dealt with."
"The alleged demeaning and exploitative practises would be rejected by the vast majority of the people of South Belfast and the city as a whole. For the Movie Star Café to apply for permits for "Professional Stage and Pole Dancers" could be described as nothing less than a blatant attempt by a wordsmith to give an air of credibility to a place where none exists."
For more information contact Robin Ramsey on 07740 461604
The questions and answers follow:
Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations have been conducted by the Home Office regarding the issuing of work permits, before 1 September, to workers at the Marie Star Cafe, Belfast; whether the Department of Employment and Learning followed Home Office practice with respect to work permits issued to workers at the Marie Star Cafe before 1 September; and whether the application for work permits specify that they would be lap-dancers and pole-dancers at the Marie Star Cafe, Belfast.
Beverley Hughes, Minister of State for Citizenship and Immigration at the Home Office: Before 1 September 2002, the Department of Employment and Learning held responsibility for the issuing of work permits for Northern Ireland. Therefore, the Home Office did not carry out any investigations regarding work permits in Northern Ireland relating to permits issued before that date. I understand from the Department of Employment and Learning that they followed the same work permit criteria as that used by Work Permits (UK) in the Home Office. The applications from the Marie Star Café specified the job title as "Professional Stage and Pole Dancers".
Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the paperwork relating to the issuing of and re-applications for work permits for workers at the Marie Star Cafe has been passed from the Department of Employment and Learning to the Home Office.
Beverley Hughes: Yes. Northern Ireland's Department of Employment and Learning transferred all available paperwork relating to work permit applications made in Northern Ireland to Work Permits UK in early September 2002. However, the work permits for the Marie Star Cafe had by that time already been issued by the Department of Employment and Learning.
Note to editors:
Due to a typographical error, Marie Star Café appears in the questions and answers in Hansard, rather than Movie Star Café."
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