OSCE anti-trafficking expert points at areas of concern in Ireland country report
The OSCE’s anti-trafficking expert has identified a number of areas of concern with Ireland’s current response, following a country visit earlier this year. Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, outlined a number of recommendations which the State should undertake if it is serious about providing adequate support and protection for victims of trafficking.
Nusha Yonkova, Gender and Anti-trafficking Expert, Immigrant Council of Ireland, said, “The Immigrant Council endorses the OSCE report findings, which echo issues the organisation has identified time and time again. We were pleased to inform the report, based on our extensive work providing practical support to victims of trafficking and ongoing research projects which identify best practice regionally and internationally.
“Among his conclusions, Mr Richey found evidence which revealed a weakening response in several key areas of anti-trafficking efforts, including shortcomings in the State’s victim identification process, which sees too many women and girls fall through the net. He also identified as problematic the ongoing lack of gender-specific response to victims since the OSCE’s last country visit in 2012.”
Ms Yonkova, added, “Yet again we see international experts emphasise the critical importance of having specialised gender-specific accommodation for victims of trafficking; revamping the identification procedure; developing new up-to-date policies and ensuring there are clear, easily accessible exit routes for migrant women exploited in commercial sexual exploitation.
“We will engage with the Department of Justice and Equality on foot of this report, to assist in any way we can to ensure the recommendations in this report are implemented.”
Ms Yonkova concluded, “We are pleased to discover from this report the Government has officially appointed the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission as Independent National Rapporteur on Combating Human Trafficking and look forward to working alongside them to improve the situation for victims of trafficking in Ireland.”
Background information
The report from Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings to Ireland, is based on a site visit 18-20 February 2020. Mr Richey examined the situation of trafficking in human beings in the country and the ongoing policy, legislative and practical responses to it.
Please contact us for more information on the report.
ENDS
Contact:
Pippa Woolnough, Communications and Advocacy Manager, pippa@immigrantcouncil.ie, 085 864 0682