Refugee body welcomes human trafficking laws

GOVERNMENT legislation to combat human trafficking, which has been signed into law, was welcomed yesterday by a leading refugee body.

But the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) said it was concerned at the lack of protection for certain people, including children and suspected trafficking victims not in a position to assist Garda investigations.

“In principle, we welcome the criminal law, but would like to see the complementary victim protection measures put in place,” said Jyothi Kanics, separated children’s officer with the Irish Refugee Council.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday said the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 had been signed into law by the President and would come into effect from June 7.

He said the act created separate offences, including:

* Trafficking in children for the purpose of their labour exploitation or the removal of their organs.

* Trafficking in children for the purpose of their sexual exploitation.

* Trafficking in adults for the purposes of their sexual or labour exploitation or the removal of their organs.

“Trafficking in human beings or selling or purchasing human beings are among the most serious offences that can be committed against the person and this is reflected in the maximum penalty of life imprisonment that can be imposed on conviction,” said Mr Ahern.

He said a second piece of legislation — the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill — would provide protection for victims of trafficking, including a period of recovery and reflection of 45 days and, where the person assists a Garda investigation, a further six-month residence.

Ms Kanics said the protection measures were not in line with the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking, which Ireland had signed.

“For example, there’s no mention in the bill of the child protection aspect or the best interests of the child being the primary consideration in those decisions around protection and temporary residency.

“The bill also only addresses the situation in relation to foreign nationals, that’s defined as non-EU, so if you had a victim, say from Slovakia, they may not have the same access or entitlement to shelter or different social welfare benefits.”