Ireland signs EU human-trafficking convention

Tánaiste Michael McDowell today announced that Ireland has signed the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.

The Tánaiste said: "Signing this Convention is a further and visible demonstration of Ireland’s continuing commitment to the global fight against human trafficking.

"Trafficking is an insidious criminal practice which preys on vulnerable people and the Government will not tolerate it in this country.

"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.

In particular, the Convention makes the following provisions for the treatment of victims:

:: where there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person is a victim of trafficking, they will be entitled to a recovery and reflection period of at least 30 days (Art 13) and;

::victims will be granted residence permits where it is considered by the Irish authorities that their stay is necessary for the purpose of their co-operation in an investigation or criminal proceedings or both (Art 14).

The Convention contains provisions for the prevention of trafficking and the prosecution of trafficking.

When enacted, the new Criminal Law (Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Offences) Bill, being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, will ensure that Ireland is fully compliant with the criminal elements of the Convention.

The needs of victims will be addressed through the framework of the forthcoming Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill.