Victims of human trafficking should be afforded more protection in forthcoming human trafficking legislation, according to the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC).
In it's observations on the Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Trafficking In Persons And Sexual Offences) Bill 2007 the IHRC welcomed the Bill - which is at an advanced draft stage - as it aims to make trafficking in people for sexual or labour exploitation a criminal offence.
The Commission did, however, have concerns that there were not enough provisions for victims of trafficking.
The Commission noted that measures facilitating the psychological and physical recovery of victims are entirely absent from the Scheme, as published.
Dr Manning, IHRC President said: "This Scheme and/or other legislative measures are needed to provide stronger protections for victims of trafficking. Access to appropriate healthcare, legal aid, and material and other supports should enable victims escape from their exploiters, and begin a new life. Concrete resources are required to ensure effective access to these rights".
The Commission also expressed concern that the possibility of deportation and subsequent re-victimisation was not addressed in the Scheme. Nor is there provision made in the Scheme for the protection of children once identified as victims. The Commission recommends the development of appropriate and sensitive safeguards to ensure the full protection of the child victim.
The IHRC also made a number of recommendations to the Bill.
While welcoming the introduction of the new offence of sale of children in the Bill, the Commission said that offence should be extended to include both adults and children.
The Commission welcomed the extension of the remit of the Scheme (and other Acts) to offences involving trafficking and the exploitation of children outside the Irish jurisdiction.
However the Commission identified a gap in the law in terms of the protection of non citizen children who have been habitually resident in Ireland and recommends that the application of this provision should be extended to protect these children.
The Commission also felt the new offence of grooming had been included in the Act hastily, and that more debate should be given to the subject before it was brought into legislation.