Politicians must lead on human trafficking

Our newly-elected councillors and MEPs have a duty to show political leadership on the issue of human trafficking for sexual exploitation which has brought organised crime to communities across Ireland.

We are approaching the first anniversary of unanimous recommendations by the Oireachtas Justice Committee for laws targeting the buyers of sex whose actions are keeping pimps, traffickers and thugs in business. Since that report 29 city, county and town councils have passed motions of support for the laws, while uniquely all of Ireland’s MEPs supported the measures in a European Parliament vote.

As our new councillors and MEPs prepare to take up their duties the Immigrant Council of Ireland, and the other 70 member organisations of the Turn Off the Red Light campaign, will be re-engaging with them and asking that this issue is firmly dealt with.

By bringing pressure on Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, we can ensure that Ireland follows the lead not just of the European Parliament, but also of the Council of Europe, the French National Assembly and an all-party committee in Westminster who believe that this is the way to shut down a €73 billion crime.

Aibhlín O’Leary,

Anti-Trafficking Awareness Officer

Immigrant Council of Ireland

Andrew St

Dublin 2