Human Trafficking in  [Ireland]  [other countries]
Street Children in  [Ireland]  [other countries]
Child Prostitution in  [Ireland]  [other countries]
 

Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery

Republic of Ireland                                                                      [ Country-by-Country Reports ]

The Republic of Ireland occupies all but the northeastern corner of the island of Ireland in the British Isles [map].  Dublin is its capital and largest city.  Ireland has a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with agriculture, once the most important sector, now dwarfed by industry and services.  Per capita GDP is 10% above that of the four big European economies and the second highest in the EU.

The Government and civil society have identified sex trafficking in Ireland as a potential problem. The presence of foreign women in prostitution and a growing migrant labor population in Ireland raise concerns about a potential trafficking problem in Ireland. The Government has drafted new legislation that will increase the penalty for trafficking to help prevent trafficking from becoming a significant issue in the country.

Scope and Magnitude. Ireland is a potential destination country for women and girls trafficked transnationally from Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America, or Asia for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. Unaccompanied minors from various source countries, particularly in Africa, represent a vulnerable group in Ireland that is susceptible to trafficking and exploitation. - U.S. State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report, June, 2007 [full country report]

 

CAUTION:  The following links have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in Ireland.  Some of these links may lead to websites that present allegations that are unsubstantiated or even false.  No attempt has been made to validate their authenticity or to verify their content.

National Plan of Action

Bur of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS – NGOs reported that women were smuggled or trafficked into the country, primarily for sexual exploitation, and that men may be smuggled or trafficked into the country for work in the construction industry or agricultural sector. There were no reliable statistics on the number of possible victims of trafficking in the country, but the most credible NGOs reported there were fewer than 15 victims. NGOs also reported that traffickers targeted younger women who were more vulnerable, had little language skill, and no legal status or recourse and placed them in apartments, where activities were easier to hide. NGOs reported that traffickers used the Internet to advertise and solicit victims.

Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - 2006 [DOC]

[76] While noting the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act of 1998 and the 2006Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Offences Bill, the Committee regrets the lack of specific information on the situation of children victims of abduction and sale or traffic for any purpose or in any form.

Gap in trafficking supports - report

The report found at least 76 women were trafficked into Ireland for the purposes of sexual exploitation between 2000 and 2006. Most of the women were brought in from eastern Europe, but others came from Africa, Asia and South America.  The report noted that 36 of the women have had no recent contact with support agencies.  Twelve remain in the Irish asylum system, and 10 were granted leave to stay in Ireland or were given refugee status.

Trafficking task force targets child sex trade

Children who are forced to work as prostitutes or in the illegal labour market will be the top priority of the joint Irish/British crackdown on human trafficking launched last week - htcp

Report highlights human trafficking

An organisation working with prostitutes says it is dealing with more and more women who have been trafficked into Ireland for prostitution.  Ruhama says it knows of 216 women that have been brought to Ireland in the last seven years for that purpose.

Ireland named as major route for child trafficking

Ireland has been pinpointed as a major route for trafficking children doomed to a life of slavery or prostitution in Britain.  An official report from the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) explicitly names Ireland as a route for bringing illicit human cargo into the UK.

Investigation into human trafficking

A major new study has been commissioned to determine the scale of illegal trafficking into Ireland. The research has been commissioned in the wake of the shocking revelation that children are routinely smuggled through Rosslare Harbour.  In a BBC report, an undercover journalist filmed a Bulgarian criminal as he confessed to regularly using the Wexford port to traffic women and children into Britain.  Most end up working in the sex trade when they reach their final destination. The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) hopes that the new study will help authorities to understand the best way to help women and children who are brought to Ireland to be sexually exploited.

Ireland a gateway for child smuggling: BBC

Ireland is being used as a gateway to smuggle children from Bulgaria to Britain, according to claims made in an expose on child trafficking.

A member of an organised criminal gang in Bulgaria told BBC News that their preferred route to smuggle children was across land through France and Ireland.

Halt human trafficking

The incoming government must act quickly to criminalise human trafficking and to protect the victims of this trade.  The latest Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report produced by the US State Department reveals that during 2006 “Zambian girls were trafficked to Ireland for commercial sexual exploitation”. It also states that men and women from Latvia were trafficked to Ireland and the UK “for the purpose of forced labour.”

Commission launches probe into human trafficking

The Human Rights Commission on both sides of the border have set up a joint initiative to investigate the extent of human trafficking throughout Ireland.  The move follows reports from some aid agencies that forced prostitution is becoming a growing problem in both the Republic and the North.

Amnesty slams Irish failure to address human trafficking

Amnesty International has criticised Ireland's failure to take adequate measures to address human trafficking.  In its latest annual report, the human rights organisation says Ireland is the only European country with no legislation on human trafficking.

Ireland signs EU human-trafficking convention

"While instances of trafficking have been rare to date we cannot assume that this will continue and in this context it is important to send an appropriate signal of the Government’s approach.”   Today’s signing will ultimately result in more formalised structures being put in place which will put safeguarding the human rights of victims to the fore, while providing greater support for victims as well as putting the legislative framework in place to prosecute the organised criminal gangs involved.

How to Help Victims of Human Trafficking?

IN IRELAND, A PUBLIC ORGANIZATION IS ENGAGED IN LIBERATING STRANGERS FROM WHITE SLAVERY there is an address of the Irish NGO "Ruhama" to victims of this evil, published on 6 world's popular languages, including Russian. It includes the statements of the following kind: "We work with women and for women, dealing with prostitution. Do you feel to be driven into a corner? Are you lonely? Are you scared? Does anybody threaten you or your relatives? Have you passports and documents been seized? Are you made to have sex with others? Trust us and tell about that. Call 018360292 (during working hours). We shall help you to find a way out. We shall help you to find a refuge. We shall listen to you and support you in confidence and without pressure".

Irish bishops condemn human trafficking

The Irish bishops urge their government to ratify international conventions against human trafficking, extend protection to victims, and cooperate in efforts to abolish "this modern form of slavery."

The Protection Project - Ireland [DOC]

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE TRAFFICKING INFRASTRUCTURE - Evidence suggests that organized criminal gangs are helping international traffickers establish trafficking routes in Ireland. Links between the Irish sex industry and the Russian mafia have been reported. Of particular concern to the Irish police, known as Gardai, is the growing presence of Russian and Albanian mafias. Gangs based in Estonia and Latvia have also allegedly trafficked women to Ireland.

Leanbh - Protecting Begging Children

THE DANGERS OF BEGGING - · Children who are abandoned to beg or forced to beg with parents (sometimes from early infancy) represent a clear-cut child protection issue.· Such children are often deprived of their constitutional right to education.  They are exploited, demeaned and have their human dignity assaulted.  They are out in all kinds of weather placing their health, physical, emotional and psychological development at risk.

Report by Special Rapporteur - 2003

[48] Sale and trafficking of children for purposes connected to slavery are criminalized under the Slave Trade Act of 1824 and under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act of 1998 it is an offence to traffic in or abduct children for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Prostitution itself is not an offence, but soliciting in the streets, or living off the earnings of another’s prostitution constitutes an offence.  Criminal liability is incurred regardless of the age of the prostitute or client. The Children’s Act of 2001 provides a framework of safeguards stipulating how children must be treated in police custody and the operation and special proceedings of the Children’s Court.

Information on Human Trafficking from the Irish Refugee Council

INVESTIGATION - In Ireland neither the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking Act) 2000 nor the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 has ever resulted in a successful prosecution for the crime of trafficking, though individuals have been arrested and charged. This is in contrast to other countries which have had successful prosecutions. There were approximately 7,000 prosecutions in some 20 countries and 3,000 convictions. Unfortunately many countries, including Ireland, do not have strong legislation to allow for successful convictions

Campaign bids to highlight human trafficking

The severity of human trafficking will be in the spotlight today at the launch of a nationwide publicity campaign.  Despite Ireland's being ranked as a low-risk destination for victims, the initiative is expected to heighten awareness among local communities of the effects of the horrifying crime.  The programme, spearheaded by the Gardaí in conjunction with Crimestoppers, will mirror an operation which brought police forces and other agencies in the UK together to tackle the growing problem of the trafficking.

Human Rights Commission welcomes initiative on combating human trafficking in Ireland

The extent of this problem in Ireland is largely unknown as there is inadequate research into the phenomenon and because it lacks visibility.  However, it appears that there is an increased incidence of human trafficking and in particular in the volume of women being trafficked into the country for sex industry.

Ireland - First Counter-Trafficking Information Campaign

IOM has welcomed the launch of the first information campaign in Ireland today to raise awareness of human trafficking in the country.  The campaign is focused around a poster which is available in five languages - Russian, Romanian, Portuguese, French and Chinese - and which features a free phone number which victims can call for assistance. They will then be referred to an appropriate agency including the police and the IOM office in Dublin. The campaign will target high visibility areas such as nightclubs, airports, bus and train stations.

Minister McDowell publishes report on human trafficking

The Minister also participated in the launch of the Crimestoppers campaign on trafficking in human beings.  Posters 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.

Coveney highlights trafficking in debate on Human Rights Report

Ireland remains the only EU country not to have introduced legislation to define and outlaw trafficking of adults.

EU Human trafficking law to combat exploitation

The Framework Decision will impose strict penalties, including a possible eight-year prison term, on anyone involved in the recruitment, transportation and harboring of people when there is: force, coercion or threat, including abduction, deceit or fraud, abuse of people's vulnerability, payments given to someone who has authority over a victim.  The document will also create new crimes where the trafficking is with the purpose of: using the person's labor, including forced or compulsory labor, slavery or servitude involving the person in prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation, including pornography.

Freedom House Country Report - Political Rights: 1   Civil Liberties: 1   Status: Free

Human Rights Overview by Human Rights Watch – Defending Human Rights Worldwide

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Human Trafficking in  [Ireland]  [other countries]
Street Children in  [Ireland]  [other countries]
Child Prostitution in  [Ireland]  [other countries]