Number of EU trafficking victims likely to be “significantly higher” than data suggests
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has today welcomed the European Commission’s (EC) 5th Progress Report on the Fight against Trafficking in Human Beings in the European Union (EU). IHREC made its second contribution to the European Commission as National Rapporteur in February 2024, covering the period 2021-2023. The EC finds that between 2021 and 2022, the number of registered victims in the EU has increased by 20.5%, with the majority of victims being non-EU citizens (54%). While this increase can be linked to better detection of victims, the report finds that the actual number of victims is likely to be significantly higher than data suggests, as the statistics only capture victims that become known to one of the registering entities, and many victims remain undetected. Research by the Commission under our mandate as Ireland’s National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking, found that in 2023 there was a 20% increase in identified victims in Ireland from 2021 and 26% from 2022, a significant rise that occurred within a relatively short period of time. The EC finds that 54% of registered EU victims were third country nationals. In Ireland, in 2023, over 80% of identified victims were third country nationals. Child victims constituted almost one-fifth of all registered victims in the EU (19%). Of all victims identified in 2023 in Ireland 9% were children, showing a concerning lower rate of identification compared to Europe. Identification and assistance to victims of human trafficking both in Ireland and the EU, including children, must be a key priority. It is expected that if revised and properly implemented in line with the Commission’s recommendations, the new National Referral Mechanism (NRM) will make it easier to identify victims, and should ensure appropriate support for them in coming forward, through a multi-agency approach. It is essential that Operational Guidelines developed to accompany the NRM are sufficiently robust to ensure the mechanism is human-rights compliant. It must be stressed that the NRM is not solely about identification, it is also a mechanism that must provide assistance and supports, as noted by the amended EU Anti-Trafficking Directive. Gaps in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 must be addressed in the Operational Guidelines currently under development, in particular to detail assistance and supports. Issues persist on the classification of child exploitation cases and the insufficient collection of child trafficking data. The Commission’s position is that child-specific identification and assistance should be detailed in the Operational Guidelines in order for the State to meet its obligations to our most vulnerable victims. Chief Commissioner Liam Herrick said:
“Trafficking in human beings remains the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. It is an abhorrent crime, targeting the most vulnerable in society, and one we are morally and politically obliged to combat with every tool necessary. While the State has been progressive in revising the National Referral Mechanism with a multi-agency approach, it is now crucial that the Operational Guidelines to accompany this mechanism are appropriate, sensitive and ensure that the needs of all victims are considered, including children.”
ENDS/
Notes for editors:
The European Commission’s 5th Progress Report on the Fight against Trafficking in Human Beings in the European Union can be accessed at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52022DC0736 Read the Third National Anti-Trafficking Report of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission as Ireland’s National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking. Read the Contribution to the European Commission’s 5th Progress Report on the Fight against Trafficking in Human Beings in the European Union of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission as Ireland’s National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking. For further information, please contact: Carol Hunt 01 8592656 / 087 4687760 carol.hunt@ihrec.ie Follow us on twitter @_IHREC
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is an independent public body, appointed by the President and directly accountable to the Oireachtas. The Commission has a statutory remit set out under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act (2014) to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland, and build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding in the State. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is Ireland’s national human rights institution and is recognised as such by the United Nations. The Commission is also Ireland’s national equality body for the purpose of a range of EU anti-discrimination measures.