The heterogeneity of human smugglers: a reflection on the use of concepts in studies on the smuggling of migrants

Aziani, Alberto

doi:10.1007/s12117-021-09435-w

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…At the same time, managing smuggling operations over long distances is hardly efficient due to the need to control migrants, and deal with police agents in unfamiliar and remote contexts (Campana 2020). These characteristics of migrant smuggling push most smuggling operations to assume a local dimension as migrant smugglers tend to operate in a small area (Aziani 2023;Campana 2018;Majidi 2018;Neske 2006). On the contrary, most of the goods considered in this study are often shipped over long distances from their country of origin to their final markets-e.g., wildlife, opiates, coca derivatives.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Convergence Between Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking of Goods: Text Analysis of Open-Source Data

Aziani,

Jofre,

Mancuso

2023

International Migration Review

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There is debate about the convergence of migrant smuggling and transnational trafficking of goods, the threat it poses to society, and its evolution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, empirical evidence is limited. We tested for convergence using a methodology based on natural language processing. Results show that convergence occurs, but it is rare and episodic. Exploratory results suggest that COVID-19 containment policies had no impact on the simultaneous occurrence of migrant smuggling and transnational trafficking of goods. These findings expand our understanding of migrant smuggling and provide suggestions for policymakers to combat transnational crimes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Convergence Between Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking of Goods: Text Analysis of Open-Source Data

Aziani,

Jofre,

Mancuso

2023

International Migration Review

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“…The actors involved in facilitating irregular migration -that is, smugglers and brokers (also referred to as agents or handlers) -have commonly been portrayed in simplistic terms as 'criminal gangs' (Home Office 2022;van Liempt & Sersli 2012). However, a more nuanced understanding reveals that many migrants in different contexts simply view their smugglers as service providers (Aziani 2023;Zhang et al 2018). Nonetheless, migrants on the CMR often report facing various forms of harm and exploitation, including detention, 2 deportation, violence, abuse, forced labour, trafficking, extortion, poor sanitary conditions, and health issues (Malakooti 2019).…”

Section: Irregular Migration On the Cmr From Libya To Europementioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the ‘Blurred Boundary’: Human Smuggling and Trafficking on the Central Mediterranean Route to Europe

Bish,

Cockbain,

Walsh

et al. 2024

Journal of Illicit Economies and Development

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Objectives: This study examines the convergence of smuggling and trafficking in persons along the Central Mediterranean Route (CMR) to Europe. We explore where and how these phenomena blur, impacting states' obligations and policy decisions. Methods:We analyse 71 interviews with migrants who travelled on the CMR in 2018 and 2019, with a focus on 17 participants who experienced forced labour. Results:We find clear overlaps and crossovers between smuggling of migrants, forced labour, debt bondage, extortion, kidnapping and human trafficking. Notably, we observed transitions from trafficking to smuggling -a phenomenon rarely reported. This includes cases where people negotiated boat crossings with their traffickers as a means of escaping detention. The concept of exploitation as a 'purpose' of trafficking, not clearly defined in international law, complicates the distinction between smuggling and trafficking. For example, instances where individuals were coerced onto boats by armed men could be considered trafficking, should extortion through the extraction of significant sums of money for dangerous sea crossings be recognised as a 'purpose of exploitation'. In our investigation into conditions of detention during these journeys, we argue that the deliberate use of torture for ransom, forced labour and extortion in certain facilities meets the 'purpose' criteria for exploitation, meaning migrants subjected to these conditions could reasonably be considered to have been trafficked. Conclusion:Given the challenges in neatly categorising some experiences as either smuggling or trafficking under international law, we call for humanitarian protection based on the hardships that people experienced en route, rather than on dichotomous legal categorisations or on their initial motivations for leaving. 71 Bish et al.

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From the Conceptualisation of Migrant Smuggling to the Research Theory and Methods

Alagna

2024

European Administrative Governance

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The heterogeneity of human smugglers: a reflection on the use of concepts in studies on the smuggling of migrants

Cited by 11 publications

References 39 publications

Convergence Between Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking of Goods: Text Analysis of Open-Source Data

Convergence Between Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking of Goods: Text Analysis of Open-Source Data

Exploring the ‘Blurred Boundary’: Human Smuggling and Trafficking on the Central Mediterranean Route to Europe

From the Conceptualisation of Migrant Smuggling to the Research Theory and Methods

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