Organised crime around the world controls human trafficking forcing women to work in prostitution.
The conference organised by the Human Rights Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs brings together an international group of women and men who advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.
The focus of the forum this year is on the abuse of women by illegal human trafficking gangs.
Dr Helga Konrad is the special representative for the Organisation for Security and Co-opertion in Europe (OSCE). She says that data from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and law enforcement agencies show that many thousands of people are,
Trafficked or tricked and sold into slavery-like situations.
Minister for State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Conor Lenihan says that Europe must act against the criminals involved in human trafficking, particularly those with links to the sex industry.
It involves the systematic denigration of women.
Many speakers at today’s conference are human rights workers from Europe, Asia and Africa, who face serious challenges.
Director of Front Line Defenders Mary Lawlor explains that their problems can range from harassment and losing their jobs to being,
Defamed in the press, they’re killed, they’re disappeared, they’re tortured.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 December 2004. The reporter is Barry Cummins.
