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Now available: International Framework for Action to Implement the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol

March 20, 2012

While 129 States, to date, have ratified the United Nations Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, giving effect to the Protocol remains a challenge in all regions. Most countries do not have dedicated action plans or strategies.

To address this, UNDOC, through a wide consultative process, developed the International Framework for Action to Implement the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, which is now available online. The Framework for Action is a technical assistance tool that aims to support effective implementation of the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol and to harmonize and coordinate a holistic and global response to the phenomenon in countries of origin, transit and destination.

The tool will assist Member States and non-state actors in identifying and addressing gaps in their response to migrant smuggling in accordance with international standards. The Framework for Action unpacks provisions of the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, drawing upon international instruments, political commitments, guidelines and best practices to enable the implementation of a comprehensive response to migrant smuggling.

The Framework for Action consists of a narrative section and a set of tables. The Narrative describes the key challenges in the implementation of the Migrant Smuggling Protocol and elaborates guiding principles in responding to them. The set of tables details practical measures that can be taken in response to four key pillars:

Prosecution of migrant smugglers;
Protection of smuggled migrants and their rights;
Prevention of migrant smuggling; and
Cooperation to address migrant smuggling.

For each of the four pillars, the Framework for Action is divided into:

Protocol Objectives, which reflect the provisions of the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol.
Specific Objectives, which explain the intent of the provisions.
Framework Requirements, setting out minimum standards for action.
Implementation Measures, which offer best practices to achieve effective implementation.
Operational Indicators, to measure implementation and help monitor change over time.

Adapted from “International Framework for Action to Implement the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol available online,” UNODC, 13 February 2012.