UN expert Reem Alsalem backs Ash Regan's proposed Bill to criminalise the buying of sex in Scotland

A UN expert has backed Ash Regan’s Bill to criminalise the buying of sex in Scotland while decriminalising people selling sexual services.

The Alba MSP’s ‘Unbuyable Bill’ won support from the United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, on Friday.

Ms Alsalem said the proposals put forward by Regan were “in line” with recommendations she made in a report to the UN Human Rights Council last year.

In her opinion, the UN expert said the Bill provides an “effective framework for ending the exploitation and violence that women are subjected to in prostitution, by discouraging the demand for buying sexual acts and offering exit strategies for the victims”.

On Friday, Regan welcomed the support and urged her colleagues in the Scottish Parliament to “take note” of Ms Alsalem’s support, with the UN expert describing the Bill as “an effective framework for ending the exploitation and violence that women are subjected to in prostitution”.

Regan launched the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill in Scottish Parliament last month to criminalise the buying of sex in Scotland while decriminalising the people selling sexual services.

The MSP hopes the Bill, which would also quash historic convictions for prostitution and create a statutory right to support for those leaving the trade, will be passed before parliament breaks for next year’s Holyrood election.

However the Bill has faced criticism from some sectors of the sex-work community, who say it could be “disastrous” for their safety.

The support comes as Scotland’s community safety minister, Siobhian Brown, raised concerns on Monday about the potential cost of quashing convictions as part of the legislation.

Under Regan’s proposals, those convicted of buying sex in Scotland could be fined up to £10,000 if the case was prosecuted in Scotland’s Sheriff Courts – with these courts also able to impose jail sentences of up to six months.

Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee is currently seeking views on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill.

The call for views closes on September 5, 2025.