Lo backs joint North-South study on human trafficking

11.03.22am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 30th May 2007

Alliance South Belfast MLA Anna Lo

Alliance South Belfast MLA Anna Lo has welcomed moves to conduct a joint North-South study into human trafficking stating that an urgent crackdown is needed on this most despicable of practices. Her comments come as the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission announced that it will work with its Southern counterpart on a scooping study to determine the extent of the problem.

Anna Lo stated: "I strongly welcome the announcement of this North-South joint effort to tackle human trafficking.

"Obviously, the wider the area we examine the more likely we are to be able to successfully address this horrific problem.

"We need to start by realizing and examining the full extent of this problem. The foremost priority of work to combat trafficking must be to protect those who have been sucked into this gruesome practice.

"Only last week, a man was sentenced for the murder of a young Chinese woman, Qu Mei Na, in North Belfast almost three years ago. This brutal murder underlines the extremely sinister nature of human trafficking.

"Last week, a conference a conference was held at Queen's University examining this area and I am glad to see that there is active research ongoing into tackling this problem."

ENDS