IRISH NGOS PLEASED WITH TIP REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000684 SIPDIS SIPDIS G/TIP JDONNELLY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KCRM KWMN PGOV PREL EI SUBJECT: IRISH NGOS PLEASED WITH TIP REPORT REF: A. SECSTATE 89306 ¶B. SECSTATE 85558 ¶1. This is an action request: see paragraph 11. ¶2. SUMMARY: On June 9, the Ambassador held a roundtable discussion with NGO representatives in regards to the release of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. The representatives were very pleased with the report overall, citing its worldwide importance in focusing attention on human trafficking. They were pleased as well that Ireland was listed for the first time, and were surprised that Irish media failed to report on it. They agreed with the report's conclusion that new legislation in Ireland is needed urgently, while also raising with us their concern that U.S. companies are hosting websites that facilitate prostitution in Ireland. Post followed up with a meeting with local police on June 13 to discuss possible use of U.S.-hosted websites and would appreciate Washington agencies' assessment of whether the U.S. can move to shut down these sites. END SUMMARY. TIP ROUNDTABLE - - - - - - - - - ¶3. On June 9 the Ambassador held a roundtable discussion with representatives from the principal NGOs combatting trafficking in Ireland. He announced the publication and worldwide distribution of the TIP report and asked them to express their concerns and comments. The NGOs represented included the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amnesty International, Ireland en Route (IER) - an interagency working group, Ralaheen - a social policy research institute, and Ruhama - a charity that works to reform prostitutes. POSITIVE REACTION - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. The NGO participants were pleased that the USG listed Ireland in the TIP report for the first time and expressed hope that this would help trafficking gain exposure in both the public and the government. Dr. Pauline Conroy of Ralaheen praised the report as the only product of its kind available to NGOs, experts, and governments. The representatives were also "surprised" that the report received no mention in the Irish press. (Note: The Irish Independent did not mention the report until June 12, a week after its release). Penny McRedmond of Ireland en Route said that journalists "don't understand the significance" of Ireland's Tier 1 status while Conroy suggested that the press consciously declined to report it to avoid "praising the U.S." She also commended the inclusion of personal accounts of trafficking and notably the account of labor trafficking in Iraq. DOMESTIC PROBLEMS - - - - - - - - - ¶5. The NGOs all agreed that a major problem is the lack of a definition for trafficking and that the press, government, and victims often confuse it with smuggling. They also expressed frustration at the slow pace of the government in completing legislation, which is in draft, and submitting it to Parliament. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶6. Ruhama's Gerardine Rowley suggested that the TIP report's claim that the Irish Government offered "adequate protections" to victims of trafficking is too generous and better wording would be "some protections." McRedmond noted that the report's claim that the GOI "fully complies" with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking is misleading and discounts the lack of movement on domestic trafficking-related legislation. Other participants noted that the government's slow pace at drafting was understandable, even if frustrating, because it is difficult to harmonize new trafficking legislation with other Irish legislation on related issues. NEXT STEPS - - - - - - - ¶7. The roundtablediscussion was warmly received by all participans. All agreed to pursue further meetings and were enthusiastic about the Ambassador's offer to consder bringing governmental and non-governmental Aerican trafficking experts to Ireland. DUBLIN 00000684 002.2 OF 002 U.S.-BASED WEBSITES ALLEGEDLY USED FOR IRISH PROSTITUTION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶8. Rowley accused Irish brothel managers of trafficking by using websites hosted in the U.S., putting them outside the legal jurisdiction of the GOI. To follow up on her charge, on June 13, emboffs met with police Inspector Pat Lordan to discuss these allegations. Lordan first stressed that after interviews with approximately eighty prostitutes, he found "no real trafficking problem in Dublin" but noted that his jurisdiction was limited to Dublin and admitted that some indicators of trafficking were present in the Dublin community. ¶9. Lordan then addressed the issue raised by Rowley of U.S.-based websites potentially being used for trafficking in Ireland. He listed many websites that he alleged are hosted in the U.S. that are used to organize illegal prostitution (though he did not tie them to trafficking) within Ireland through the posting of cell phone numbers used to contact prostitutes. These websites, many of which are allegedly run by prominent Irish-UK brothel managers Martin Morgan, Peter McCormick, and Taidgh O'Neill, include: www.punterland.com, www.xxxdublin.com, www.irishescorts.net, www.adultoffice.com, www.mistressdublin.com, www.redcowescorts.com, www.ambassador-escorts.com, www.escortdesigners.com, www.edesigners.com, www.dublinescorts.com, www.escortireland.com, www.escort-ireland.com, www.indublin.com, and www.irishescorts.com. ¶10. Lordan noted that an investigation by his office had led to the identification of Atlanta-based Interland, Inc. as the host company for many of these websites. Even though these websites do not mention prostitution or an illegal activity by name, they are involved in illegal activity because facilitating/organizing prostitution is a crime in Ireland. Lordan requested USG help in determining the link between the websites and Interland, Inc. and aid in shutting down Interland's prostitution facilitating websites in Ireland. He commented that while this would not necessarily close down the brothels as the organizers could start a new website, it would impede their operations and make business more difficult. ¶11. Embassy would appreciate Washington agencies' review of the websites listed above, including whether there are legal means of shutting them down and federal law enforcement interest in pursuing this matter. ¶12. Comment: The strong and impassioned commitment of the Irish NGOs to their cause does not invalidate their observations and assessments, but it undoubtedly causes them to undervalue the positive work done by the Irish government. We will continue dialogue with both the NGOs and government organs over the next year. End Comment. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit Dublin's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/dublin/index. cfm KENNY