Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 December 2019
119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he continues to influence the international community to make provision for the elimination of trafficking and violence against children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53864/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has put in place strong legislative, administrative and operational measures, including a multi-agency approach, to combat and prevent human trafficking.
Ireland is party to the Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings which aims to prevent trafficking, protect the human rights of victims and prosecute traffickers. We are also party to the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Ireland has also transposed the EU Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims.
At the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly earlier this year, Ireland co-sponsored a resolution on “Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons”. We also made a statement reiterating Ireland's support for the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.
2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Ireland co-sponsored a resolution at the General Assembly on the promotion and protection of the rights of children which called on all countries to ensure the enjoyment by all children of their civil, politicial, ecomomic, social and cultural rights.
The resolution urges States to take appropriate measures to protect children who are victims of trafficking and are deprived of parental care, as well as to enact and enforce legislation to prevent and combat the trafficking and exploitation of children in care facilities. The resolution also urges countries to support children who are victims of human trafficking in returning to their families and in receiving appropriate mental health and psychological assistance that is victim-centred and trauma-informed.
