Amnesty International has voted to campaign for the full decriminalisation of all aspects of prostitution where it takes place voluntarily.
The controversial decision was taken at a meeting in Dublin's City West Conference Centre by some 450 delegates attending the organisation's decision-making forum.
In a statement Amnesty described the vote as crucial in order to protect the human rights of sex workers.
It said delegates backed a resolution authorising the organisation's international board to develop and adopt a policy on the issue.
The statement added that sex workers are one of the most marginalised groups in the world and that most of them face a constant risk of discrimination, violence and abuse.
Secretary General of Amnesty International Salil Shetty said the vote paved the way for the adoption of a policy for the protection of their human rights, which will help shape Amnesty International's future work on this important issue.
The resolution recommends Amnesty International develop a policy that supports the full decriminalisation of all aspects of consensual sex work.
The policy will also call on states to ensure sex workers enjoy full and equal legal protection from exploitation, trafficking and violence.
The statement recognises that what it calls "this critical human rights issue" is "hugely complex" and explains why Amnesty has addressed it from the perspective of international human rights standards.
It said the decision followed consultation with Amnesty globally to take on board different views from around the world.
The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland has welcomed Amnesty International’s resolution.
Sex Worker and ICRSE (International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe) Board Member Kate McGrew said: "It is only with full decriminalisation that the rights of sex workers can be protected. Amnesty International’s focus is on the most marginalised and people at risk of grave human rights violations.
"Their own research over two years has shown that it is sex workers themselves who suffer most when working under a criminalised or partially criminalised system.
"We have seen human rights violations against sex workers across the world ignored time and time again. It is now time for policy makers and governments everywhere to listen. Criminalising sex work does not make it safer," she added.
