Migrant Smuggling Data and Research

(chapter 2), grey literature “refers to research output that is produced outside
of commercial and academic publishing and distribution channels, often by
government institutions, NGOs, and the private sector” (Carling, this volume).
Drawing out the policy implications from such literature can sometimes be
especially challenging. While such studies can provide useful insights, they run
the risk of presenting a distorted picture of realities on the ground, particularly if
research methodologies are not adequate (or even documented).
Another major challenge in studying migrant smuggling is the uneven
nature of the research focus, which is primarily destination country focused.
While this is inevitably linked to research funding, there is a sound case for
conducting research on irregular migration and smuggling that is of particular
relevance to transit, host and origin countries. In chapter 9 on South-East
Asia and Australia, for example, the authors found that much of the research
had been funded by the Government of Australia, and often undertaken by
Australian researchers. In Europe, research funding may be limited to European
researchers, with implications for the development of research capacity within
neighbouring regions. By improving the overall management of migration in
regions, including through the support of safe migration pathways, as well as
support of populations who do not wish to migrate, all countries in a region are
able to benefit. Better accounting for origin, transit and host country research on
smuggling, however, has been hampered by a general lack of research capacity
in developing countries where smuggling occurs. For example, in sub-Saharan
Africa, there are less than 50 researchers for every million persons, compared
with 3,000 for every million people in OECD countries (DFID, 2007). It is perhaps
not surprising therefore that a great deal of research on migrant smuggling is
conducted by researchers based in destination countries in the north. In response
to this challenge, a limited number of regional research centres have been
established in developing countries to support data collection and studies with
local research staff. An interesting example of this type of initiative is the Regional
Mixed Migration Secretariat based in Nairobi (RMMS), which aims to collect
data and conduct research on “mixed migratory flows”. RMMS Horn of Africa
and Yemen is an inter-agency initiative established by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, IOM, Intersos, the Yemen Mixed Migration Taskforce
and the Danish Refugee Council. The establishment of a series of regional centres
for the collection and analysis of policy-relevant data and research on migrant
smuggling would help to build the evidence base in developing countries. Such
centres could be located in transit countries, such as Turkey or Niger where data
and research on migrant smuggling are especially scarce. For example, in Turkey
(chapter 6), research directly on migrant smuggling is very limited. In many
countries, studies of migrant smuggling typically form part of larger research
projects focusing on different aspects of irregular migration and trafficking.
Migrant Smuggling Data and Research:
A global review of the emerging evidence base
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