Migrant Smuggling

Crime Commission tackles the smuggling of migrants, a growing humanitarian problem

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:47:41 GMT

Crime Commission tackles smuggling of migrants, a growing humanitarian problem

International efforts to tackle the smuggling of migrants took centre stage during the twenty-first session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which concluded today with a draft resolution to promote efforts to eliminate violence against migrants, migrant workers and their families. The text of the resolution contains a strong condemnation of the continuing incidence of criminal acts against migrants, migrant workers and their families in all regions of the world, including criminal acts of violence motivated by racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

UNODC and International Organization for Migration sign agreement for closer cooperation

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:41:06 GMT

UNODC and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today signed an agreement in which they pledged closer cooperation to tackle human trafficking and migrant smuggling and to improve border management, bearing in mind the cross-cutting theme of corruption. The memorandum of understanding was signed by IOM Director General William Lacy Swing and UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov.

Informal Donor Briefing on the Global Programme against the Smuggling of Migrants

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:52:00 GMT

Outlining its ongoing efforts to assist countries in tackling migrant smuggling, UNODC held an informal briefing on the Global Programme against the Smuggling of Migrants in Vienna, on 30 March 2012.

The meeting was very well received by the attending state representatives who suggested more such meetings be held to generate an open dialogue between States Parties and UNODC on the challenges, global priorities, and needs of the organisation to support the implementation of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air additional to the United Nations Convention against the Transnational Organized Crime.

Read more here.

UNODC assists Ghana to enhance its response against the smuggling of migrants

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:59:00 GMT

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), faced with growing concerns over the extent of the crime of smuggling of migrants both as an origin and as a transit country, launched the EU funded project 'Countering Human Smuggling & Other Irregular Migration'. Familiar with the work of UNODC as a contributor to the development of the Basic and In-Depth Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting the Smuggling of Migrants and of the Training Film Ways and Means, the GIS asked the UNODC Global Programme against the Smuggling of Migrants to support the implementation of their project by providing technical expertise to enhance GIS capacity to respond to the smuggling of migrants.

Read more here.

Combating Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling: Building Cooperation in Pakistan

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:15:38 GMT

On a rare occasion, 35 senior officials of Federal and provincial governments, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), provincial police Home Departments, Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Human Rights and the Ministry of Human Resources Development, sat side by side to explore strategies to better combat the crimes of smuggling of persons and trafficking in persons at a UNODC hosted workshop, "Strategic Dialogue on Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons".

UNODC Strategy on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:07:02 GMT

Trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants are global problems affecting states everywhere, and the well-being of countless individuals around the world. Having worked on these issues since the late 1990s, UNODC has now issued a comprehensive strategy setting out the complementary nature of UNODC's work in preventing and combating both human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and defining the immediate priorities for UNODC's future action and engagement on these crimes.

Read more here.

Intelligence is key to fighting migrant smuggling: UNODC provides analysis training for law enforcers in Asia

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:31:00 GMT

Bangkok (Thailand), 21 February 2012 - Migrant smuggling is an organized criminal activity that operates across borders. It threatens countries' security, makes smuggled migrants vulnerable to exploitation and human trafficking, and generates enormous profits for the criminals involved, who face little risk of detection and punishment. Migrant smuggling networks are highly organized, professional and flexible, constantly changing routes and methods in response to law enforcement measures.
To assist government efforts to craft an effective, coordinated response, the UNODC Regional Training Programme on Operational and Strategic Analysis on Migrant Smuggling held a first round of workshops that brought to Thailand 54 law enforcement and immigration personnel from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam and the Pacific Immigration Directors' Conference (PIDC) for training in operational and strategic analysis of migrant smuggling.

International Framework for Action to Implement the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:18:00 GMT

The International Framework for Action to Implement the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol is now available. The Framework for Action is a technical assistance tool that aims to support effective implementation of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United (Smuggling of Migrants Protocol), supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

The purpose of this tool is to assist Member States and non-state actors in identifying and addressing gaps in their response to migrant smuggling in accordance with international standards. The Framework for Action unpacks provisions of the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, drawing upon international instruments, political commitments, guidelines and best practices to enable the implementation of a comprehensive response to migrant smuggling.

Read more here.

Catalogue of Materials - Anti- Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:11:00 GMT

The EU Directive on Trafficking in Human Beings – A Joint UN Commentary

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:32:00 GMT

Working together six United Nations agencies (UNODC, UNHCR, OHCHR, UNICEF, ILO and UN Women) have published a commentary on selected articles of the EU Directive 2011/36/EU.

Over the past decade, the European Union has stepped up its efforts to fight human trafficking strengthening its focus on prevention and protection of victims. The adoption of the 2011 Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, replacing Council Framework Decision, is the most recent sign of the continued commitment of the European Union in this field. The Directive represents a critical step in addressing human trafficking comprehensively.

Issue Paper: Smuggling of Migrants by Sea

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:31:00 GMT

New UNODC paper sheds light on smuggling of migrants by sea

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:00:03 GMT

As the world marked International Migrants Day on 18 December, UNODC released an issue paper on the smuggling of migrants by sea. The paper covers the international legal framework relating to the smuggling of migrants by sea, current responses to and challenges posed by such smuggling and recommendations to strengthen responses. While the smuggling of migrants by sea accounts for only a small proportion of the total number of migrants smuggled worldwide, it accounts for the highest number of deaths among smuggled migrants.

Ways and Means — countering smuggling of migrants

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:42:09 GMT

Awareness raising video on migrant smuggling

Voluntary reporting system on migrant smuggling in support of the Bali Process

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:29:00 GMT

An international database on migrant smuggling came closer to reality as law enforcement officials from Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America met to review UNODC's work on setting up a voluntary migrant smuggling reporting system.

In-Depth Training Manual on smuggling of migrants

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:35:09 GMT

The UNODC In-depth training manual on investigating and prosecuting the smuggling of migrants is the product of criminal justice expertise gathered from around the world.

The diversity of those involved in the process of elaborating the Manual reflects its target audience of criminal justice practitioners including investigators, examining judges, investigating judges, prosecutors, magistrates, law enforcement officers, border agents and all other professionals who are involved in the criminal justice system.

Read more here.

UNODC and UNHCR sign memorandum of understanding to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:11:56 GMT

UNODC and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at furthering joint cooperation in combating human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants. The memorandum, which was signed by UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov and UNHCR High Commissioner António Guterres, is the first formal cooperation agreement between the two United Nations entities.

Basic Training Manual to investigate and prosecute the smuggling of migrants adapted for Central American and Mexican law enforcement authorities

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:16:45 GMT

Prosecutors and police officials from the Central American states, Mexico and Spain attended a three day workshop with the aim of adapting the UNODC Basic Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting Migrant Smuggling to the region´s context.

Expert Group Meeting on Migrant Smuggling by Sea

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:04:36 GMT

UNODC hosted an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on Smuggling of Migrants by Sea to discuss challenges in preventing and combating the phenomenon of migrant smuggling by sea, and develop practical recommendations to support the finalization of an issue paper...

Model Law on Smuggling of Migrants available in Arabic - English - French - Russian - Spanish

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:53:15 GMT

The Model law against Smuggling of Migrants has been developed to assist States in implementing the provisions contained in the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. It aims to facilitate the review and amendment of existing legislation as well as the adoption of new legislation.

This publication was made possible through funding for the European Union.

Download here

Victim Translation Assistance Tool - Life support messages for victims of human trafficking

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:42:00 GMT

Victim Translation Assistance Tool - Life support messages for victims of human trafficking

VITA is a unique new tool using audio messages, that allows law enforcement officials to provide a level of basic assistance to victims of human trafficking. Human trafficking survivors contributed to the development of these messages, which were also supported by experts in human trafficking focused on victims' needs.

This audio tool, consisting of key encounter messages, was developed to facilitate the identification of a trafficked person and the launch of a criminal investigation. Thirty-five basic questions and messages have been recorded and translated into 40 languages, taking into account special questions for children.

India: Significance of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) to address human trafficking

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:05:11 GMT

In May 2011, Government of India ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its three protocols. India is one of the five countries in South Asia, including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and very recently Nepal, to ratify the UNTOC.

On the occasion of the Indian Government ratifying the UNTOC, UNODC interviewed the Union Home Secretary, Mr G K Pillai, to understand the significance of the UNTOC and its three protocols for India, especially in the context of addressing human trafficking in the country and South Asia.

UNODC holds a Training Workshop for Egyptian Prosecutors on Investigating and Prosecuting Migrant Smuggling

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:43:06 GMT

A training workshop for 25 Egyptian prosecutors on the investigation and prosecution of migrant cases was held by the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa in Cairo, Egypt during the period 24 to 26 May 2011. The workshop, based on UNODC training modules, aimed at strengthening the capacities of national practitioners in investigating and prosecuting migrant smuggling through an interactive training that allowed for exchange of experience and best practices among the participants while fostering international co-operation...

UNODC and Italy discuss crime and drug prevention

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:03:15 GMT

Executive Director Yury Fedotov met with several senior Italian officials to discuss drug- and crime-related matters, including migrant smuggling into Southern Europe in light of events in North Africa. Meeting the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Franco Frattini, the Minister of Justice, Angelino Alfano, and the Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of the Interior, Alfredo Mantovano, the Executive Director noted that the discussions were of critical importance to regional safety and security.

The role of organized crime in the smuggling of migrants from West Africa to the European Union

Mon, 30 May 2011 13:35:00 GMT

The role of organized crime in the smuggling of migrants from West Africa to the European Union

Mon, 30 May 2011 06:30:34 GMT

A new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) investigates the involvement of organized criminal groups in the smuggling of migrants from West Africa towards the European Union (EU). Information in the report was compiled by a team of researchers from West Africa and Europe using both documentary studies and field research conducted in Mali, the Niger, Nigeria and Spain.