26/6/2020

Limerick-based migrant and refugee support organisation Doras have highlighted issues with accommodating victims of human trafficking in Direct Provision, as well as a lack of victim identification, in light of an annual Trafficking in Persons Report launched on June 25th.  

According to the 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report by the US Department of State, Ireland has failed to meet minimum standards in eliminating human trafficking and is classified as a ‘Tier Two Watch List’ country for the second year in a row. The report states that “the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period.”   

Doras has been campaigning for better responses to human trafficking in Ireland since 2011.

“The Trafficking in Persons report highlights the precarious situation many vulnerable people are forced into in Ireland,” said John Lannon, Doras CEO. “The state’s inaction on trafficking in particular creates conditions for it to thrive – the incoming government needs to put this back on the agenda and prioritise the elimination of human trafficking.”  

Doras has long opposed the use of Direct Provision to accommodate of victims of trafficking, calling for the safety of victims to be ensured.

“We need to see victims of trafficking receive adequate accommodation and support,” said Lannon. “Purpose built, gender specific, safe accommodation needs to be provided at least. To place people in congregated Direct Provision centres is not appropriate and potentially unsafe. Direct provision is unsuitable accommodation for anyone, but especially for people who have been trafficked, which can be for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced marriage and criminal activity, for example. “

Doras also highlight the lack of victim identification in Ireland, which contributes to underreporting of human trafficking.  

“Victim identification also needs to be prioritised and increased. The lack of pro-active identification procedures means that many victims of trafficking are not being identified and supported, leaving them exposed to exploitation. The incoming government has an opportunity to do this and to improve Ireland’s response to human trafficking overall, which will get worse, if ignored.” 

ENDS 

Click here to download a copy of the press release: http://doras.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PR-Doras-highlights-issues-with-accommodating-victims-of-human-trafficking-in-Direct-Provision.pdf