Countering People Smuggling

Bali Process members continue to face significant challenges in effectively countering the activity of people smugglers and complex criminal syndicates, who operate online and within communities to facilitate the irregular movement of individuals across borders.
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The Challenge
Unsafe irregular land and maritime movements are a priority concern for the Bali Process region. Displaced and vulnerable populations continue to rise as a result of natural and humanitarian disasters, armed conflict, and economic hardships.

People smuggling is a highly profitable business and smugglers and criminal networks take advantage of those seeking a better life—charging high prices for dangerous and illegal journeys, with migrants extremely vulnerable to other forms of crime including trafficking. Costs and bureaucracy associated with regular migration pathways can push people towards choosing riskier options, where they can become easy targets for smugglers and traffickers.

A coordinated response from governments is necessary to effectively detect people smuggling operations and undertake disruption activities. The Covid-19 pandemic created a unique environment for the people smuggling trade—and the reopening of international borders in 2022 has resulted in a quick rebound of people smuggling activity with an increasing reliance on technology as a key facilitator of smuggling.

IPSIP
ISTANBUL – OCT 19: Passport control point with officer and passe

Countering People Smuggling Programme Objectives

  1. To improve the understanding of the shifts in the business model for smugglers operating across the Bali Process region.
  2. To enhance multi-country and multi-agency information sharing and sustained dialogue amongst the most affected Bali Process Member States.
  3. To build capability and invest in research and enquiry activities that will contribute to improved knowledge gains and awareness raising on the smuggling challenges, trends and disruption opportunities for Bali Process Member States.
  4. To focus support on irregular maritime venture activities and people smuggling by air, supported by an analysis of disinformation activities and other potential future threats that could face the Bali Process region with respect to people smuggling.
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Maritime smuggling in Southeast Asia: shifting tides, shared challenges

Coinciding with Malaysia’s hosting of the 2025 ASEAN Summit last month, the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO) and the Government of Malaysia—the ASEAN Chair for 2025 and ASEAN Voluntary Lead Shepherd for People Smuggling—co-hosted a Regional Meeting on Countering People Smuggling and Related Transnational Crime in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  

The regional meeting brought together senior officials from ASEAN Member States, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and Australia with an aim to drive progress on a strengthened shared regional approach and response to maritime people smuggling—ahead of the 2025/26 ’sailing season’ which starts from around September each year, when attempted maritime crossings of refugees and migrants reach their peak with calmer seas. 
24 June 2025
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Meet Tuan Meedin

Meet Tuan Meedin

Tuan Meedin, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sri Lanka joined the RSO office as a secondee in August 2023, where he worked with the RSO’s Countering People Smuggling programme to facilitate a two-way exchange of experiences and knowledge.

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Resources
Protecting Migrants at Sea: Practical Guide to Fulfilling International Obligations (English)
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Guidelines for Information Sharing to Address People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime
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Understanding the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol (Malay)
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