Smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons by sea

Abstract

In recent years, political and economic instability, as well as environmental degradation in various parts of the world, have contributed to a significant increase in irregular mass migration by sea. Economic deprivation, famine, conflict, climate change and human rights violations constitute some of the factors which continue to drive thousands of individuals to undertake perilous journeys across the seas in unseaworthy vessels, often subject to ruthless exploitation by human smugglers and traffickers. Currently, the international community faces growing challenges associated with the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons by sea. In light of the magnitude of the problems posed by these crimes, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has characterized them as major threats to maritime security. This contribution examines the salient features of these crimes and their effects on the security and safety of persons at sea. It assesses the contemporary international legal regime regulating the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons by sea, with a particular focus on the duty of cooperation in the fight against these threats.