People Smuggling: Recent Trends and Changing Responses

• NCJ Number: 190437
• Author(s): Rebecca Tailby
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Paper presented at the fourth National Outlook Symposium on Crime in Australia, New Crimes or New Responses, June 21-22, 2001; downloaded August 20, 2001.

Annotation

This paper examines people smuggling as a case study through which to explore some emerging trends in transnational crime and responses to it, with attention to what is happening in Australia.

Abstract

Although the facilitated illegal movement of people across international borders is not a "new" crime, people smuggling is the fastest-growing form of transnational crime. It is also one of the top three forms of transnational crime in terms of criminal profits, with an estimated $7 billion annual profit being made by organizers who are moving millions of people every year. Australia's experience of people smuggling over the last few years has seen some new trends emerging. The data for 1999-00 showed that boat arrivals increased to 4,175, almost 27 times the figure of 2 years earlier. The absolute number of illegal entrants to Australia has increased significantly over the past 2 years, approximately 240 percent. Some reasons for this increase in people smuggling to Australia included larger profits in the transport of large numbers of migrants at once; Australia's proximity to Indonesia, the main staging point for boat travel; low expenses (pay for one Indonesian boat captain and crew); the exploitation of poor Indonesian fishermen by syndicates; and the vastness of Australia's shoreline. People smuggling, and transnational crime in general, are high on the current international agenda for governments and law enforcers. This is evidenced by the increasing number of international conferences, bi/multi-lateral arrangements to deal with specific problems of transnational crime, and the recent drafting and signing of the new Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime. Australia has also targeted people smuggling by developing a national response through increased funding for enforcement efforts and the development of networks of international cooperation. Although the initiatives in place are a good beginning, the effort at reducing supply and demand must be more strategic, research-based, and effective.