Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald T.D.,
praised the volunteer spirit of those involved in raising public awareness
around the issue of human trafficking when she visited the UN Gift Box
today.
The UN GIFT Box is a unique piece of public art that will be touring
Ireland throughout the month of March to raise awareness of human
trafficking and modern day slavery. It is a walk-in installation where
members of the public can learn more about the deception involved in human
trafficking and the suffering of the victims drawn in by traffickers. The
colourful street installation has been placed outside the Central Bank
Building in Dame Street since Saturday and is staffed by a team of
volunteers who invite passers-by to step inside and confront the reality of
human trafficking.
Speaking at the UN Gift Box, the Tánaiste praised the volunteers involved
in bringing the GIFT Box around the country, and highlighted the importance
of public awareness in the fight against human trafficking:
“Human trafficking is a horrendous crime, one which sees the most
vulnerable people deceived, coerced, exploited and harmed. It often begins
with promises of a better life. I think this box captures that idea in a
very thought-provoking way.
“Public awareness is a key part of our strategy for combating human
trafficking, as outlined in the Second National Action Plan which I
launched last October. Those of us who carry the legislative and law
enforcement responsibilities to counter this terrible crime need a
well-informed public in order to succeed. Groups like APT, Act to Prevent
Trafficking, are key to raising public awareness and educating Irish people
about the horrors of this crime and what can be done to prevent it.
“I commend them for their initiative, and I’m sure they will get a great
response as they take this project on the road over the next few weeks.”
UN GIFT, or Global Initiative to Fight Trafficking, is an initiative of the
United Nations and anti-human trafficking NGOs. Act to Prevent Trafficking
(APT) is the Irish NGO which is coordinating the delivery of the GIFT Box
to more than a dozen locations around Ireland. The initiative is supported
by the Department of Justice and Equality through the Anti-Human
Trafficking Unit and by An Garda Síochána through the Human Trafficking
Investigation and Coordination Unit.
The Tánaiste was joined at the event on Dame Street in Dublin by APT’s
coordinators and volunteers, members of An Garda Síochána and
representatives of UN Agencies based in Ireland.
For further information on the locations where the UN Gift Box will be place, please visit www.aptireland.org
For more information on Human Trafficking in Ireland and to access the
Second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking In
Ireland, please visit www.blueblindfold.gov.ie