Despite three-quarters of migrants surveyed in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand reporting abuse while using people-smuggling networks to leave their homelands, nearly half said they would repeat the journey, according to a report released by the United Nations on Tuesday.
The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime conducted a survey of almost 4,800 migrants and refugees in the three countries who relied on illegal networks to smuggle them into Southeast Asia, as stated in the report from UNODC’s regional office in Bangkok.
Individuals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Somalia, Vietnam, and Rohingya were part of the survey, and they reported abuse by various groups including military, police, smugglers, border guards, or criminal gangs, as detailed in the report titled “Migrant Smuggling in Southeast Asia.”
According to Masood Karimipour, UNODC regional representative in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, migrant smuggling is often a desperate act to seek security, safety, opportunity, or freedom from harm, oppression, or corruption. He emphasized the importance of bringing smugglers to justice to protect those seeking safety and a better life.
The report highlighted the likelihood of military and police engaging in physical violence, demanding bribes, extorting money, causing death, and committing sexual violence during the journey.
The survey revealed that climate issues such as floods, droughts, or extreme temperatures were driving factors for about a quarter of the respondents to seek out smugglers, particularly affecting Bangladeshi individuals. Additionally, many respondents admitted to giving bribes or gifts to officials during their travels due to perceived corruption.
Despite the risks and challenges faced during the journey, almost half of the surveyed individuals expressed willingness to take the journey again, while about 40% said they would not and 12% remained undecided.
The survey also indicated that social media, phone communication, or in-person contact were common ways for respondents to connect with smugglers, with fees averaging around US$2,380. A significant number of Rohingya refugees stated they used smugglers to reach Malaysia, Thailand, or Indonesia.
Shobbir Hussain, one of the Rohingya refugees sheltering in Indonesia’s Aceh region, recounted his journey from Bangladesh and the challenging conditions he faced, all in pursuit of a better life.
In Malaysia, Shahidullah Mohd Hosein shared his experience of leaving the Kutapalong refugee camp in search of better opportunities, highlighting the dangers and hardships faced by Rohingya refugees in overcrowded camps.
A Rohingya woman named Halima Khatun’s journey to Malaysia through a human trafficking syndicate led to her imprisonment in Myanmar, underscoring the risks and uncertainties faced by migrants seeking a new life.
Contributions to this report were made by Abdur Rahman in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, Ahmad Mustakim Zulkifli in Kuala Lumpur, and Nurdin Hasan in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.