Trafficking in Migrants: Illegal Migration and Organized Crime in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region

The subject of this article is the phenomenon commonly known as trafficking in migrants or people smuggling—the criminal offence of transporting migrants across international borders. This article explores the phenomenon of migrant trafficking and analyses migrant trafficking in the light of recent developments at domestic, regional and international levels. This article examines national legislation dealing with migrant trafficking in criminal law and immigration law in Australia and fifteen countries of the Asia Pacific region: Brunei, Cambodia, People's Republic of China and its Special Administrative Regions Hong Kong and Macau, Fiji, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam. Moreover, international and regional efforts to combat illegal migration and organized crime are outlined and analysed.