The involvement of organised crime groups in facilitating the irregular movement of people along the route poses a significant challenge to regional leaders, and the safety of vulnerable migrants who attempt to undertake the journey.  

Aimed at addressing the complex challenges of maritime people smuggling in the Andaman Sea region, regional leaders and key stakeholders convened in Bangkok for a two-day roundtable, held over 19–20 February 2024. The event—organised by the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO)—brought together senior law enforcement and policy officials and practitioners from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam, as well experts from the International Organization for migration (IOM), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Geutanyoe Malaysia and the Arakan Project, to foster collaboration, share best practices, and develop actionable strategies to combat this issue.

The first day of the roundtable focused on setting the scene, with presentations on the current state of maritime people smuggling in the region, the push and pull factors, and the challenges of search and rescue operations.  

The roundtable commenced with opening remarks from including Caka Alverdi Awal, Director for International Security and Disarmament at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Anita Lewan, Director of Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia, and  Marvin A. Arpan, Acting RSO Co-Manager (Indonesia). Their remarks underscored the shared commitment to addressing the complex challenges of maritime people smuggling.

Yesper Widell, Protection Officer at the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Lilianne Fan, Co-Founder and International Director from the Geutanyoe Malaysia, and Chris Lewa, Coordinator of the Arakan Project, provided a regional overview of recent trends in boat movements and key protection issues for migrants, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to ensure their safety and well-being. The scene-setting session delved into the push and pull factors influencing migration via the Andaman Sea route, emphasising the challenges of search and rescue operations and cross-border cooperation. Rob Wilson, Detective Superintendent Senior Officer of the Australian Federal Police in Sri Lanka, presented on strategies for disrupting and deterring people smuggling operations. 

National presentations from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka offered a deeper understanding of domestic policies and responses to maritime people smuggling. Delegates shared their experiences and outlined measures taken to address the challenges posed by irregular migration. 

The day concluded with a panel discussion on enablers of people smuggling organised crime groups, where experts highlighted the role of professional enablers and technology in facilitating illegal ventures. The session underscored the need for collaborative efforts to counter the sophisticated tactics employed by transnational organised crime syndicates. 

The second day of the roundtable focused on garnering feedback and inputs for a proposed regional cooperation approach to counter people smuggling in the Andaman Sea. Participants discussed a range of issues, including information sharing, cross-border law enforcement cooperation, and capacity building needs. 

Breakout group discussions focused on what countries could do to prepare and coordinate responses over the ‘non-sailing’ season (April to September), when conditions at sea make it less likely for maritime ventures to take place. Participants also discussed what they hoped Member States could have in place ahead of the 2024/25 sailing season.  

Participants deliberated on policy and operational recommendations, with a focus on disrupting the business models of organised crime groups facilitating people smuggling. The final session of the event discussed proposed recommendations for a regional cooperation approach and a summary of the key takeaways from the two days.

The event concluded with a consensus amongst Member States on the need for enhanced information sharing, coordinated law enforcement actions, and capacity building initiatives to address the challenges posed by maritime people smuggling in the Andaman Sea region.  

In his closing remarks, Marvin A. Arpan, Acting RSO Co-Manager (Indonesia), expressed optimism about the outcomes of the roundtable: “Let us carry forward the collaborative spirit that has defined our discussions over the past two days,” he said. “Together, we have the opportunity to make significant strides in addressing the challenges posed by maritime people smuggling.”

The roundtable has enabled an important step in bringing together the most impacted Member States for dialogue, to continue to build mutual understanding and shape collective efforts to combat maritime people smuggling and safeguard the lives of vulnerable people. The roundtable has also set the stage for continued action to prioritise law enforcement collaboration and capacity building with a focus on information sharing and investigation.  

The RSO looks forward to continuing to support Member States and organisations in efforts to work towards a shared vision of a safer and more secure future for the Andaman Sea and wider Bali Process region. 

_{1 UNHCR Rohingya Refugee Movement – Quarterly Update (Sept – Dec 2023).}