Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery Poverty drives the unsuspecting poor into the
hands of traffickers Published reports & articles from 2000 to 2025 gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Ireland.htm
Ireland is a
destination and, to a lesser extent, transit country for women, men, and
children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and
forced labor. Women from Eastern Europe, Nigeria, other parts of Africa and,
to a lesser extent, South America and Asia reportedly have been trafficked to
Ireland for forced prostitution. Labor trafficking victims reportedly consist
of men and women from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines,
although there may also be some victims from South America, Eastern Europe,
and other parts of Asia and Africa. One Irish NGO reported that forced labor
victims are found in domestic labor and restaurant and agricultural work. - U.S.
State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report, June,
2009 Check out a later country report here or a full TIP Report here |
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CAUTION: The following links have
been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in HOW TO USE THIS WEB-PAGE Students If you are looking
for material to use in a term-paper, you are advised to scan the postings on
this page and others to see which aspects of Human Trafficking are of
particular interest to you. Would you
like to write about Forced-Labor? Debt
Bondage? Prostitution? Forced Begging? Child Soldiers? Sale of Organs? etc. On the other
hand, you might choose to include precursors of trafficking such as poverty and hunger. There is a lot to
the subject of Trafficking. Scan other
countries as well. Draw comparisons
between activity in adjacent countries and/or regions. Meanwhile, check out some of the Term-Paper resources
that are available on-line. Teachers Check out some of
the Resources
for Teachers attached to this website. HELP for Victims Sexual
Violence Center Cork ***
FEATURED ARTICLE *** Draft Information
Note on Human Trafficking Irish Refugee
Council, 5 May 2006 drugsinfonewslineireland.wordpress.com/2007/07/26/ireland-man-jailed-for-human-trafficking/ [accessed 30 August
2012] [scroll down] THE IRISH CONTEXT - 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 Independent.ie,
September 04 2007 www.independent.ie/national-news/ireland-named-as-major-route-for-child-trafficking-1070794.html [accessed 14
February 2011] ***
ARCHIVES *** ITF Critical of
Irish Government’s Human Trafficking Record The Maritime
Executive, 23 June 2019 www.maritime-executive.com/article/itf-critical-of-irish-government-s-human-trafficking-record [accessed 24 June
2019] The U.S. State Department
released its 2019 Trafficking in Persons report last week, criticizing the
Irish Government’s failure to tackle modern slavery. For the second year in a
row, the State Department has placed Ireland in Tier 2, as a result of the
Government’s failure to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of
human trafficking. The U.S. State
Department has criticized the Government for failing to: • Obtain any
convictions for human trafficking in the six years that have followed since
the introduction of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Act in
2013; • Prosecute any
human traffickers in 2018, including those exploiting migrant fishermen on
Irish trawlers; • Address the
“chronic deficiencies” in victim identification, referral and assistance; • Provide
specialized accommodation or adequate services for victims. 2020 Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ireland U.S. Dept of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and
Labor, 30 March 2021 www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ireland/
[accessed 10 June
2021] PROHIBITION OF
FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOR NGOs, including the
Migrant Rights Center of Ireland and the Immigrant Council of Ireland,
alleged that employers subjected men and women to forced labor in
construction, restaurant work, waste management, commercial fishing, car
washes, and agriculture, as well as in private homes as domestic servants.
The Romani community and undocumented migrant workers were high-risk groups
susceptible to human trafficking. PROHIBITION OF CHILD
LABOR AND MINIMUM AGE FOR EMPLOYMENT The government
effectively enforced applicable laws, and no reports of illegal child labor
were received. The WRC is responsible for enforcement, and it was generally
effective, with adequate resources and investigative and enforcement powers. Freedom House
Country Report 2018 Edition freedomhouse.org/country/ireland/freedom-world/2018 [accessed 29 April
2020] G4. DO INDIVIDUALS
ENJOY EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY AND FREEDOM FROM ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION? People generally enjoy
equality of opportunity. However, although the government works to combat
human trafficking and protect victims, undocumented migrant workers remain at
risk of trafficking and labor exploitation. Trafficked
prostitutes not to be deported John Burke, Sunday
Business Post, December 02, 2007 swoplv.wordpress.com/2007/12/04/trafficked-prostitutes-not-to-be-deported/ [accessed 14
February 2011] Women trafficked
into Ireland for prostitution will no longer be deported or jailed on
conviction, and will instead receive treatment and counselling, in a dramatic
shift in the approach aimed at tackling human trafficking. This new approach -
which is already being used in Italy and Portugal - is aimed at encouraging
women trafficked into the state for sexual exploitation to provide assistance
in criminal investigations. The move follows the signing earlier this year of
the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human
Beings. New unit to fight
human trafficking Tom Brady,
Independent.ie, November 21 2007 www.independent.ie/national-news/new-unit-to-fight-human-trafficking-1225738.html [accessed 14
February 2011] A new unit,
dedicated to co-ordinating the implemention of a national strategy to tackle
human trafficking, has been set up. A
senior official from the Department of Justice will be appointed by Minister
Brian Lenihan to head the unit. Gap in trafficking
supports - report The Irish Times,
ireland.com, 18/10/2007 At one time this
article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] [accessed 6
September 2011] [scroll down] The report found at
least 76 women were trafficked into Trafficking task
force targets child sex trade Independent.ie,
October 07 2007 www.independent.ie/national-news/trafficking-task-force--targets-child-sex-trade-1116979.html [accessed 14
February 2011] 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 RTÉ News, 12
September 2007 www.rte.ie/news/2007/0912/crime.html [accessed 14
February 2011] An organisation
working with prostitutes says it is dealing with more and more women who have
been trafficked into Investigation into
human trafficking Wexford Echo, August
23, 2007 www.wexfordecho.ie/news/story/?trs=cwqlcwgbql [accessed 14
February 2011] At one time this
article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] A major new study
has been commissioned to determine the scale of illegal trafficking into Ireland a gateway
for child smuggling: BBC RTÉ News, 27 July
2007 www.rte.ie/news/2007/0727/children.html [accessed 14
February 2011] 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 Ronan Mullen,
Ahascragh, Co www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/halt-human-trafficking-714572.html [accessed 14
February 2011] 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 IrelandOn-Line,
30/05/2007 www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/?jp=MHKFMHAUKFCW&rss=rss1 [accessed 30 August
2011] The Human Rights
Commission on both sides of the border have set up a joint initiative to
investigate the extent of human trafficking throughout Amnesty slams Irish
failure to address human trafficking IrelandOn-Line,
25/05/2007 breakingnews.ie/ireland/amnesty-slams-irish-failure-to-address-human-trafficking-312119.html [accessed 14
February 2011] Amnesty
International has criticised Ireland signs EU
human-trafficking convention Irish Examiner,
13/04/2007 www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/mhaugbcweyey/ [accessed 14
February 2011] "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? www.demaz.org/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0056&n=001025&g= [access date
unavailable] 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 Catholic World News,
June 19, 2006 www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=44845 [accessed 14
February 2011] 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." Leanbh - Protecting
Begging Children The Irish Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ISPCC Services At one time this
article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] [accessed 6
September 2011] 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 [DOC] U.N. Economic and
Social Council, Commission on Human Rights, Fifty ninth session, 6 January
2003 www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/0/217511d4440fc9d6c1256cda003c3a00/$FILE/G0310090.doc [accessed 14
February 2011] [48] Campaign bids to
highlight human trafficking IrelandOn-Line,
05/05/2006 www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/campaign-bids-to-highlight-human-trafficking-257265.html [accessed 14
February 2011] 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 Irish Human Rights
Commission IHRC, 5 May 2006 www.ihrc.ie/newsevents/press/2006/05/05/human-rights-commission-welcomes-initiative-on-com/ [accessed 14
February 2011] www.ihrec.ie/human-rights-commission-welcomes-initiative-on-combating-human-trafficking-in-ireland/ [accessed 11
February 2019] 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 Press Briefing
Notes, International Organization for Migration IOM, 5 May 2006 --
Spokesperson: Jemini Pandya www.hamburger-illustrierte.de/content/htm/tic/2006/05/05/200605051711.html [accessed 30 August
2012] [scroll down] Minister McDowell
publishes report on human trafficking Department of
Justice and Law Reform, Press & Publications, 5 May 2006 www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PR07000952 [accessed 27 January
2016] 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 May 17, 2006 At one time this
article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] [accessed 6
September 2011] EU
Human trafficking law to combat exploitation Cormac O'Keeffe,
Irish Examiner, January 14, 2002 migration.ucdavis.edu/mn/more.php?id=2557_0_4_0 [accessed 30 August
2012] 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. Concluding
Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) [DOC] UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child, 29 September 2006 www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/898586b1dc7b4043c1256a450044f331/8d69692f4788b109c125725d002ff0c6/$FILE/G0645074.doc [accessed 14
February 2011] Click [here]
to access the article. Its URL is not
displayed because of its length [accessed 31 January
2018] [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. The Protection Project - Ireland The www.protectionproject.org/human_rights_reports/report_documents/ireland.doc [accessed 2009] www.protectionproject.org/country-reports/ [accessed 22
February 2016] 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 ***
EARLIER EDITIONS OF SOME OF THE ABOVE *** Human Rights
Reports » 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61654.htm [accessed 9 February
2020] 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. All
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