The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Michael McDowell, T.D., today published a report on human trafficking by a working group comprising representatives from An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Publishing the report the Minister said, "Human trafficking is a very serious human rights violation. It is a growing international crime and has become a major global business for organised crime groups and networks. Victims are subjected to force, coercion, fraud and frequently, violence. While Gardaí have encountered only a small number of cases of human trafficking in this jurisdiction and the UN ranks Ireland at the low end of destination or transit countries, there is no room for complacency. Ireland is at risk from the same threats as those facing its EU partners and, in particular, our nearest neighbours.
The report is clear evidence that my Department and An Garda Síochána are committed to tackling trafficking in human beings at a national level and to working with our European Union and other partners to tackle it internationally".
Thanking the members of the working group for their report, the Minister said he fully supports its conclusions and recommendations, which deal with the issue on a number of fronts, including immigration controls, law enforcement activity, protection of victims and the legislative response.
He commended An Garda Síochána and the Garda National Immigration Bureau, in particular, for their proactive and vigorous approach in preventing and combating trafficking of human beings. The approach taken in tackling trafficking is, where possible, to prevent it occurring, or where it does occur, to seek to prosecute the perpetrators and to protect the victims. A number of ongoing Garda operations are in place to tackle the phenomenon.
The Minister also participated in the launch of the Crimestoppers campaign on trafficking in human beings. This is a joint initiative of An Garda Síochána, Crimestoppers, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the International Organisation for Migration. Posters launched today will be displayed at airports, ports, bus and railway stations, among other places. The posters will advertise a free phone helpline - 1800 25 00 25 - and anyone who rings the number can be assured that their call is anonymous, safe and free.
The Minister highlighted the importance of public awareness of the threat of human trafficking. He said, "I am confident that the publication of the working group's report together with the Crimestoppers campaign will be extremely useful in bringing the issue to the attention of the general public".
Regarding the protection of victims of trafficking, the Minister said, "The current immigration system in Ireland allows the authorities to deal with these victims in a sympathetic and pragmatic way. It is in the interest of victims of trafficking and the authorities to co-operate with a view to ensuring the protection of victims and the prosecution of perpetrators".
The report of the working group is available on the Department's website - www.justice.ie.
5 May 2006
Note to Editors
Under current Irish criminal law it is an offence, punishable by up to life imprisonment, to traffic a person under 17 years of age, male or female, for the purpose of sexual exploitation. This is provided for in the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. The Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000 provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years or an unlimited fine, or both, for a person convicted of organising or facilitating the entry into Ireland of an illegal immigrant. In some trafficking cases it may also be possible for the prosecuting authorities to bring charges for a range of offences covered by our criminal law, including sexual offences, false imprisonment and possession of false documents.
Further legislation is currently being prepared by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to provide primarily, for compliance with two EU Framework Decisions - Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Combating the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography. The legislation will also take into account a number of international conventions in this area, including the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.
Also, the law in relation to carriers' liability has helped make it more difficult for traffickers to operate and a draft Immigration and Residence Bill, which will include provisions with the potential to impact positively in the fight against human trafficking, is being prepared for publication later this year.