The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah–Donli, has revealed that member nations of the European Union, EU, encourage the scourge of human trafficking through policies that allow the unhindered operations of massaging parlors, brothel and the likes where trafficked persons are exploited.
This was as she called on members of the European Union and the entire international communities to put in place measures that will reduce the cases of human trafficking across the globe, stressing that the interest of victims of human trafficking should be the major concern of all.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Adekoye Vincent, the DG was quoted as making this call while playing host to the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland, Sean Hoy, who paid her a courtesy visit at the Headquarters of the agency.
While frowning at some policies and legislations adopted by some of the international communities that directly or indirectly fuel the illicit trade of human trafficking, she specifically tasked the visiting envoys on the need to look inward and take decisive step in order to minimize human trafficking in their country.
Okah–Donli said, “It is essential that those policies and legislations that seem to be encouraging human trafficking are seriously tackled. Specifically, those policies that allows the unhindered operations of massaging parlors, brothel and others should be reviewed and outlawed in order to discourage the demand and reduce the supply.”
“The Republic of Ireland may be just a transit country for now, but it is certain that if nothing is done to discourage human trafficking and irregular migration within the European countries, the spillover effects may change the profile of the country to both source and destination country as far as human trafficking is concerned.
“So, I am calling on all members of the European Union to join hands with NAPTIP to stop human trafficking around the globe. We can stop it through deliberate policy and legislations,” she said.
The Director–General further that NAPTIP has convicted 342 persons since its inception in addition to several other cases pending at various courts of law.
She urged the Republic of Ireland to join other partners that are collaborating with the agency in the areas of awareness creation, intelligence sharing and other counter- trafficking projects initiated by the agency.
In an earlier remark, the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland, Hoy commended the Director – General for the giant strides recorded in the fight against human trafficking in her one year in office.
He disclosed that his country was ready to partner with NAPTIP in its activities, adding that the Republic of Ireland has zero tolerance for human trafficking and other negative vices.
Hoy further revealed that already, Irish Navy were among Law Enforcement Agencies working seriously on the Mediterranean Sea on management of irregular migration and the attendant casualties.
The Ambassador was accompanied on the visit by other officials of the embassy.
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