IRELAND PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000871 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG EI SUBJECT: IRELAND PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING HUMAN TRAFFICKING REF: A. DUBLIN 786 ¶B. DUBLIN 552 ¶C. DUBLIN 550 ¶D. DUBLIN 471 ¶1. Summary: Ireland is demonstrating firm commitment to meeting its international obligations on human trafficking, moving forward with key legislation and the creation of a new Government unit dedicated to combating trafficking in persons (TIP). End summary. ¶2. On November 27 poloffs met with John Garry, Michael Quinn, and Barry McGreal in the Drugs and Organized Crime Division of the Department of Justice to provide additional guidance on the steps needed for Ireland to address the criteria established for the 2007 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. Garry reported that the Irish Government has undertaken numerous initiatives to ensure that they meet their international TIP obligations, which will also provide a strong case this year for a move back to "tier one" in the TIP report. ¶3. One key new initiative is the creation of an Anti-Human Trafficking Unit within the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which will oversee the new national strategy against human trafficking, including the implementation of new anti-trafficking Parliamentary bills. Garry told poloffs that the Unit will be headed by a senior official who will be appointed before the end of the year and will report directly to the Minister of Justice. (Note: Both Garry and Quinn are among those who have applied for the position. End note.) ¶4. Garry reported that the Minister of Justice expects the Parliament (Dail) to pass the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill by February or March 2008. He anticipates that the process will move expeditiously as there have been no objections to the legislation thus far. According to Garry and Quinn, the Bill, when enacted, will address many of the criteria covered in the TIP report. For example, one provision will broaden Ireland's jurisdiction, allowing the prosecution of Irish citizens in Ireland for criminal human trafficking acts committed abroad. ¶5. Garry noted that the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, which will provide legal protections for the victims of trafficking, is also making good headway in the Parliament. In another example of Irish focus on TIP criteria, Garry said that the Department of Justice has entered into discussions with the Department of Defence on ways to best sensitize Irish peacekeeping troops overseas to the issue of trafficking. ¶6. Garry told poloffs that a key Department of Justice goal is to ensure that the Parliament ratifies the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings -- a comprehensive European treaty focused on the protection of victims of trafficking, the prevention of trafficking, and the prosecution of traffickers -- by the end of 2008. Ireland's Action Plan for the Convention, which will set out the Government's strategy, should be ready by spring 2008. Garry added that the Irish ratification process should move forward more swiftly than in some other European countries (read, the UK),as Ireland has only one police force with which to coordinate prior to ratification. ¶7. Comment: Ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings would be the capstone of Irish legislation against traffickers in persons, as it would bring Ireland into compliance with the most far-reaching international conventions against trafficking. The enactment of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) and Immigration, Residence and Protection bills will be important milestones. Coupled with robust anti-trafficking enforcement measures (Ref B), Ireland is well on its way to implementing safeguards and demonstrating vigilance that underscore its firm commitment to thwarting traffickers in persons. End comment. FOLEY