Sir, – Further to your report on reforms of the direct provision system ("Over 1,500 asylum seekers may benefit from proposals", April 9th), the practice of placing victims of trafficking in the centres leaves them in danger of further abuse, intimidation to withdraw their testimony in criminal cases, and, for some, a return to prostitution.
Many international organisations including the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as well as the US State Department, have criticised the practice, saying it falls far short of Ireland’s obligation to protect victims and support their recovery.
Together with other frontline agencies, including Nasc, Doras Luimní, Sonas Domestic Violence Charity and Focus Ireland, we have made submissions to Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald outlining alternative safe accommodation arrangements which can be delivered in the short term.
At a European level, we are also working with a network of independent law centres to ensure that in future victims will have a guarantee of early legal intervention with ease of access to lawyers to ensure their entitlements are being honoured.
It is our hope that the final reforms when published will include new housing and legal arrangements to recognise properly and protect the rights of a very vulnerable group of women. – Yours, etc,
NUSHA YONKOVO,
Immigrant Council
of Ireland,
Andrew Street,
Dublin 2.