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Human smuggling on the rise

Human smuggling has become a big business in this part of the world, with Sri Lanka becoming a starting point for would-be illegal emigrants yearning for a 'better' life in the West. Sri Lankans as well as other South Asians board rogue trawlers and ships that take them to Europe or Australia, mostly from the South. Just last week, Police caught 116 South Asians who were illegally trying to migrate to Italy from Sri Lanka. A couple of weeks ago, police detained 250 South Asians who had the same plans.

Fees for ferrying people to Europe or Australia range from 150,000 to 300,000 rupees (1,550 to 3,125 dollars) for a one-way trip aboard a packed trawler. Such vessels, of course, are a far cry from cruise liners, with only the barest minimum facilities and rationed food. There is no guarantee that the human cargo will reach the intended destination. Coastguard vessels regularly intercept these ships and detain everyone on board. Nevertheless, there is no shortage of young men and increasingly, young women who try to reach Western shores illegally.

The law enforcement authorities have woken up to this dangerous trend and intensified operations against the masterminds behind human trafficking. Police on Friday busted an underworld human-smuggling ring in the Udahamulla and Maharagama areas and took into custody three gang members, said to be kingpins in the local human smuggling scene.

They recovered forged visas and other travel documents. The traffickers might also be taking advantage of loopholes in current laws - human smuggling in its present context is a relatively new phenomenon - so strengthening the related laws is also essential. International cooperation through Interpol and at government-to-government level is needed to stop their operations.

Most Western governments have little or no sympathy for those who try to enter their countries illegally. Many would-be migrants are caught as they land and accommodated in crowded camps until their cases are processed. A plane ride back home is usually the result, given that Sri Lanka and many other Asian countries are now off the 'refugee' list.

For example, the UK recently included Sri Lanka in its 'White List'. Life for those who escape the immigration authorities of these countries is often difficult; as an illegal alien, one has to be on the run. The refugee and illegal alien problem has led some Western governments to implement drastic measures. The UK has started fingerprinting all Sri Lankan visa applicants, lest they claim asylum or refugee status after landing in London.

Nevertheless, there is another option that some countries have cautiously begun to adopt. Italy has negotiated with the Sri Lankan government to provide a considerable number of jobs in that country for skilled Sri Lankans. The Italian authorities hope that this would reduce the inflow of illegal migrants, given that Italy is seen as the most sought after destination for youth from impoverished countries in Asia and Africa. Other European governments will no doubt look at this programme closely. Sri Lankan authorities too should explore the possibility of negotiating more such bilateral programmes.

The US Diversity Visa programme and legal migration procedures in Canada, Australia and New Zealand are examples that European governments could look at.

In the meantime, police must continue to track down the criminal gangs who make a fortune from human smuggling and be on guard against their moves to exploit more youths. The public should be encouraged to report any such attempts. Taking stringent action against these criminal gangs is vital.

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