Submission on the National Action Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Brian Lenihan TD, announced the commencement of a period of public consultation and invited submissions on the proposed National Action Plan Against Trafficking in Human Beings on 18 October 2007, the first EU Annual Day Against Trafficking in Human Beings.

The elaboration of a National Action Plan Against Trafficking in Human Beings is a very welcome step. While the need for an adequate legal framework to prosecute traffickers and protect victims of trafficking is compelling, so too is the need for practical coordination between bodies (both State agencies and NGOs) that can intervene at various points of the trafficking cycle. Both must be in place if the human rights of victims are to be effectively protected. Though human rights concerns are paramount in this context, it should also be borne in mind that the success of any criminal legislation will to a large extent depend on how effective that coordination is and how supportive we are of victims.

• February 2008
• Type: Advice
• Topic: Child protection, Immigration