We punish the victims of trafficking

IN the past week, a judge sentenced four migrant workers to jail for failing to have the proper documentation entitling them to work in Ireland.

Judge Zaidan was reported as saying ‘instead they chose to use human trafficking’.

So the message is, if you happen to find yourself the victim of human trafficking, beware that you are likely to be the one thrown in jail. Trafficking for forced labour is considered to be a form of modern day slavery. Is it good enough that in Ireland people who are the victims of trafficking are not afforded the most basic of protections but are instead criminalised?

Siobhan O’Donoghue

Director

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland

55 Parnell Square West

Dublin 1