HRCP Urges Immediate Action on Human Smuggling Crisis Amid Economic Turmoil

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan calls for urgent attention to human smuggling issues, emphasizing the severe human rights violations and economic factors propelling the crisis. Recommendations include signing relevant protocols and amending existing laws to better protect migrants.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has issued a dire call for urgent attention to the severe rights violations faced by those attempting to migrate illegally. Victims often endure torture, extortion, abuse, blackmail, imprisonment, and even death. The commission's report redefines 'human smuggling' as a grave human rights violation rather than just a transnational crime.

Amid a significant economic crisis, many, particularly the youth, are forced to seek opportunities abroad via illegal routes termed 'dunki.' This term originates from a Punjabi idiom suggesting a leap akin to that of a donkey's, symbolizing the illegal way.

According to the report, approximately 100,000 Pakistanis attempt to migrate annually in search of better economic prospects, with Quetta being a primary staging ground. These irregular migrants, driven by unemployment, lack of opportunities, poverty, insecurity, and conflict, face perilous journeys from Punjab to Turkey through Balochistan and Iran. Exploiting their vulnerabilities, human smugglers operate highly organized networks. Alarmingly, many former migrants become smugglers themselves.

The HRCP has urgently called for Pakistan to ratify the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air. It also emphasized that migrant-destination countries must protect the rights of irregular migrants. The Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018 should be reviewed and amended to address abuses more effectively, taking a more human rights-based approach.

(With inputs from agencies.)