Human Trafficking not a crime in IRELAND

Human Trafficking not a crime in IRELAND

Human trafficking not a crime in Ireland TRAFFICKING of men, women and children for the sex trade or other exploitation is not a crime in Ireland — the only EU country where it is not illegal. This is despite the US authorities identifying Ireland this year for the first time as a destination, entry and transit country for traffickers for some of the thousands that move through Europe every year. Children make up significant numbers of those trafficked but nobody knows how many arrive in Ireland and dozens of those taken into State care disappear every year the European Parliament was told during a debate on trafficking. MEP Simon Coveney said not only was trafficking of human beings not recognised as a crime in Ireland, but the Government was one of the few that had not ratified the UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime. Mr Coveney drafted a human trafficking report for the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, which got overwhelming support yesterday. “The report stresses the need for member states to sign up to international conventions, ensuring a positive obligation on countries to address issues in relation to the growing phenomenon of trafficking,” he said. Mr Coveney said that even the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are working on legislation on human trafficking. “To our shame, Ireland, is still stalling on putting such legislation in place.” In the last nine months, 24 children who arrived in Ireland unaccompanied seeking asylum, and were in State care, had gone missing, MEP Máiréad McGuinness said. Some Sisters of Mercy involved with the Refugee Network told MEPs that there was no uniform set of standards or transparent procedures in place. “Indeed the evidence provided by the Sisters of Mercy points to a system which is dehumanising and degrading,” said Ms McGuinness. Héilean Rosenstock-Armie, the Separated Children’s Officer with the Irish Refugee Council said 95% of children entering the state are not identified by immigrations officials. “We do not know how many children are coming in.” In other countries most of the children disappear soon after entering, often having been threatened that their families would be harmed if they did not make contact with a specific person on arrival. “We do not want to be alarmist but we must assume this is happening here also,” she said. The European Parliament said that all measures implemented by the EU so far to reduce human trafficking have failed and they want members states to draw up a new strategy to combat this criminal activity EU-wide. By Ann Cahill, Europe Correspondent, Irish Examiner http://www.irishexaminer.ie/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=ireland-qqqm=ireland-qqqa=ireland-qqqid=18534-qqqx=1.asp