Human trafficking has become a ‘lucrative and rich’ business across the EU, according to a Fine Gael MEP.

On Breakfast Briefing today, Maria Walsh said Brussels is hoping to end trafficking through victim protections being proposed under a new revision of the EU’s Anti-Trafficking Directive.

It is estimated that thousands of people are trafficked into Ireland every year for slavery, sexual exploitation, and forced labour.

Ms Walsh said identifying victims was a key aim of the revision.

“If they [victims] are brought through the judicial system, they should not be facing the same crime as the trafficker,” she said.

“Identification is really important as human trafficking is sadly and devastatingly the most unseen industry in the world – a very lucrative industry too.

“It’s important that we identify and protect people affected by this.”

Convicted

Ms Walsh said some victims of trafficking are currently being convicted of crimes such as prostitution.

“We have heard from lived experiences, that as soon as people were arrested and caught for prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation – they were facing the same crimes,” she said.

“They are being removed from international protection [systems] and moved to other countries, continuing living in this cycle of not having a safe space.

“We need to make sure we are doing our part as people or as legislators – both in the parliament and as member states.”

Proposals

Under the proposals of the directive, EU member states must have coordinators specifically assigned to tackling human trafficking, according to the MEP.

“Some member states already have them, we have a human trafficking action group within An Garda Síochána,” said Ms Walsh.

“But they will now be required to collect data and make sure reports are submitted to the commission on an annual basis.

“Ultimately, we need to see what is happening and what is not happening.”

Actions

Ms Walsh said it is important to have “stronger actions” in place at ports and airports where traffickers enter the country.

“We also need our hauliers protected so they are not under coercive control to travel with people so that we can end the movement of people in these dire straits," she said.

“What we have to do is help EU citizens being moved within the EU under human trafficking, as well as those coming outside the EU.

“There are multiple forms of movement of people.”

The human trafficking industry is estimated to be worth an annual $14bn worldwide.

Main image: File photo of MEP Maria Walsh, 23-03-2019. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews