SLAVERY WAS one form of human bondage that most people thought had ended with its abolition in Britain and the US in the 19th century. In the 21st century, however, it has assumed a new guise. Modern-day slavery involves the trafficking of men, women and children to work as forced labour in factories, farms and brothels. Earlier this month the US State Department published its annual human trafficking report, now regarded as the most comprehensive review of how 170 countries are tackling the problem. It makes depressing reading.
The report placed Ireland in the second of three performance tiers, based on an assessment of its record in prosecuting offenders, in protecting victims and in preventing abuses. This means the Government has failed to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. In the 19th century Daniel O'Connell was at the forefront of the campaign to abolish slavery. Today Ireland is a far more affluent country and its recent economic success has been underpinned by immigrant labour. But its low rating on this global human trafficking index is a national embarrassment.
There are, however, some mitigating factors. During the time the rating review was undertaken, Ireland had no comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation in place. It now has. On June 7th, the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008, which makes trafficking of adults and children for labour or sexual exploitation illegal, came into effect. In addition, a bill to give greater protection to victims of trafficking, which the Oireachtas is debating, has been given legal effect on a temporary basis. Although not perfect, these measures should go some way towards better equipping Ireland to meet the human trafficking challenge.
Ireland's human trafficking crimes may well be seen as small in a global context. But they should be a cause of major concern. Academic studies have concluded that between 2000 and 2006, 76 victims of trafficking were brought here for sexual exploitation, though this figure is widely believed to be an underestimate. Another study estimates that between July 2005 and December 2007, there were some 46 cases of suspected labour trafficking. The lack of adequate legislation has greatly reduced the State's capacity to curb human trafficking, with no prosecutions or convictions reported for 2007. But with new legislation in place, it is critically important that Ireland secures a return to the top tier of countries in countering human trafficking.