With new data highlighting the rise of human trafficking, the Minister for Justice must share details on the national implementation of the EU’s Anti-Trafficking Directive, MEP Maria Walsh has said.
MEP Walsh, one of the authors of the Revision to the EU’s Anti-Trafficking Directive, has written to Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan to request details on his plans for the implementation of the law given new data highlighting the growing threat of human trafficking.
According to a UN report published this week, trafficking for forced labour has increased by 47% compared to pre-pandemic levels. During the period 2021 – 2022, there were over 17,000 victims of trafficking registered in the EU, with the 2022 figures representing a 41% increase on 2021.
MEP Maria Walsh, member of the Justice & Home Affairs Committee, said:
“As the only Irish MEP to have been involved in writing the EU’s new laws on human trafficking, I have to emphasise the urgent need for Minister O’Callaghan to implement them in full. While some may consider it a problem foreign to our shores, the reality is that the illegal and often violent trafficking of people is taking place in our local towns and villages.
“Data published this week highlights the fact that the numbers of trafficking victims is increasing every year, with Ireland being far from immune to this crime. The number of victims in the EU rose by over 40% between 2021 and 2022. Given this increase in EU as well as global figures, I believe the true extent of the crime in Ireland is much higher than what is being reported – representing a serious gap in our detection of this crime.
“I have written to Minister O’Callaghan to request details on the planned timeline for the rollout of the EU’s Anti-Trafficking Directive as well as the resources being allocated to support its implementation.
“Trafficking is a complex crime, with detection and prevention involving multiple actors including police officers, teachers, healthcare professionals, social workers, and legal practitioners. Training and resources must be made available to ensure that all those involved in identifying and assisting victims are adequately equipped to do so. Given this, I have also called on the Minister to ensure adequate investment in training programmes and inter-agency cooperation.”
