THE United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has disclosed that 1,691 people died between 1996 and 2011 in attempts to beat security agencies while trafficking human beings across deserts and sea journeys through illegal deals worth $6.75 billion.

In its monthly report made available to Crime & Security, UNODC said human smugglers in attempts to beat security agencies have continued to initiate various ways at beating the network in their acts.

The spurious way resulted in great loss of lives of these illegal immigrants.

“Evidence indicates that smugglers are becoming more and more organised, establishing professional networks that transcend borders and encompass all regions. As with other forms of organised crime, the groups concerned have increased their operations by shifting routes in a bid to expand into other markets.

"As smuggling networks expand, the safety and lives of smuggled migrants continue to be at risk: many suffocate in containers, perish in deserts or drown at sea while being smuggled. Between 1996 and 2011, at least 1,691 people died while attempting desert journeys, and in 2008 alone a further 1,000 deaths occurred as a result of sea crossings," the report stated.

UNODC further revealed that "Besides loss of life and the grave human rights abuses suffered by migrants as they undertake arduous and risky journeys, the smuggling of migrants fuels other forms of organised crime in the countries of origin, transit and destination. Smugglers are known to bribe government or border officials in exchange for documentation, thereby increasing corruption. Smugglers are also known to falsify travel and identity documents both for themselves and for those being smuggled.

"Each year, criminals are estimated to generate around $6.75 billion from the smuggling of migrants along just two of the principal routes used for such smuggling, namely from East, North and West Africa to Europe and from South America to North America."

However, in a bid to checkmate the transnational organised crime, the UNODC has launched a new campaign against the smuggling of migrants.

Comments (0)

Show/hide comments

Show/hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment