The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) considers that a major international conference on human trafficking being held in Trinity College Dublin 3rd – 5th July 2007 is extremely timely in increasing the visibility and awareness of the seriousness and the reality of human trafficking in Ireland. The Conference, entitled ‘European Slave Trade: Character, Causes & Challenges’ focuses on slavery in Europe today, specifically trafficking in people for sexual and labour exploitation and how this can best be combated through legal and political frameworks.
The conference marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 and the Irish Human Rights Commission is very pleased to be one of its sponsors. The IHRC’s contributions to the conference are informed by recommendations on the Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking and Sexual Offences) Bill 2007, which it submitted recently to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
In practice, the reality of meeting human rights obligations in relation to human trafficking often falls on police officers to exercise. As with many other human rights issues individual Gardaí have a crucial role to play in vindicating the human rights of the vulnerable men, women and children who may become victims of trafficking.
Mr Liam Herrick, Senior Legislation and Policy Officer of the Irish Human Rights Commission, speaking as chair of the ‘Policing Panel’ at the conference, and welcoming the inputs of the panellists Inspector Angela Willis, An Garda Síochána and Mr Peter Tiley, said that: ‘in tackling trafficking as a crime, Gardaí must be equipped with clear and practical laws, resources and most importantly receive comprehensive training informed by the experiences of police in other jurisdictions and by groups working with victims of trafficking in Ireland’.
It is important that An Garda Síochána see human trafficking not only as an issue of organised crime but take into full account the acute vulnerability of the victims they encounter. Liam Herrick went on to say that: ‘when applying the provisions of the new trafficking legislation, the Gardaí should act with sensitivity towards any person who appears to be a victim of trafficking – recognising them as victims of human rights violations, not only as witnesses to crimes’.
Human trafficking involves a complex and profound range of human rights abuses. Commissioner Rosemary Byrne, speaking as chair of the ‘Law Panel’ at the conference and in welcoming the inputs of the panellists, Dr Monika Smit and Dr Ivana Bacik, stressed that ‘a legal and policy response to human trafficking and the protection of its victims can only be effective when based on an informed understanding of the dynamics of this criminal activity within our own jurisdiction. And this is why it is urgent and vital that there be more in-depth research into trafficking in Ireland’.
ENDS
Further information
Commissioner Suzanne Egan will make a keynote presentation at the Conference on Thursday 5 July 2007 entitled: Human Trafficking: The Need for a Victim-Centred Approach