The Criminalisation of People Smuggling in Indonesia and Australia: Asylum out of reach

This book provides an ethnographically informed critique of the hyper-politicized debate on the facilitation of irregularised migration for people seeking asylum between Indonesia and Australia. It highlights the need for unsanctioned passages for people seeking asylum and the detrimental consequences of criminalizing "people smuggling." Drawing on court verdicts and interviews with convicted facilitators and law enforcement officials, it offers a unique and holistic picture of the causes, conditions, procedures, and intricacies surrounding the facilitation of irregularised maritime journeys. It challenges key achievements and objectives in regard to criminalizing the facilitation of irregularised migration by foregrounding the many negative side effects that have emanated from "stopping the boats."

Format: Hardback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 22 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the ethnographically informed critique of the highly politicized debate surrounding the facilitation of irregularized migration for individuals seeking asylum between Indonesia and Australia. While state authorities condemn such facilitation as "people smuggling" and advocate for its criminalization, the book's central focus revolves around the pressing need for unauthorized passages for people seeking asylum and the detrimental consequences of criminalizing "people smuggling" for both the facilitators and the individuals seeking refuge.

Drawing upon court verdicts and extensive interviews with convicted facilitators and law enforcement officials in Indonesia, this book offers a unique and holistic perspective on the causes, conditions, procedures, and intricacies surrounding the facilitation of irregularized maritime journeys between Indonesia and Australia, spanning nearly four decades. It meticulously examines the micro-level operational and place-specific characteristics of people smuggling, as well as the far-reaching consequences of anti-people-smuggling policies in Indonesia. By bridging the gap between the macroenvironment, encompassing relevant legal, political, social, and economic factors, and the specific conditions of irregularized mobility, the book sheds light on the broader implications of these policies.

In contrast to other states in the Global North, Australia has purportedly achieved greater success in its comprehensive approach to eliminating unauthorized migration at sea by employing a combination of punitive, communicative-preventive, and interceptive measures. However, this book challenges the perceived achievements and objectives of criminalizing the facilitation of irregularized migration by highlighting the numerous negative side effects that have resulted from the "stopping the boats" initiative.

This book holds significant appeal to researchers specializing in anthropology, sociology, law, and criminology. Its in-depth analysis and comprehensive coverage of the topic provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of irregular migration, the role of state authorities, and the human consequences of policies aimed at deterring migration. By examining the ethnographic dimensions of this issue, the book contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the challenges and complexities associated with addressing asylum seekers and irregular migration in the global context.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032074771