Transcending Borders – Strengthening Coordination, Detection and Management of Migration-Related Transnational Organised Maritime Crime in Indonesia

Funder

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), the U.S. Department of State

Value to Coventry University

£70,791.22

Project team

Dr Ioannis Chapsos

Collaborators

International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Indonesia

Duration of project

1 Dec 2023 - 31 Jul 2025

Project overview

Migration-related transnational organized crime at sea makes the headlines across the world and this research seeks to better understand how the pluralism of threats and actors within the maritime security landscape interact between then and manifest themselves primarily as ‘smuggling and trafficking of persons’ in Indonesia. 

The research is particularly focused on the key Indonesian maritime security stakeholders’ understanding of migration-related TOC at sea and examines how these stakeholders interact, collaborate as well as share information and available capabilities to better combat these crimes. The findings stem from cased studies conducted in three provinces in Indonesia, namely in Jakarta (Java), Batam (Riau Islands) and Ambon (Maluku Islands) and the analysis of qualitative primary data collected through semi-structured interviews with representatives from 13 Indonesian Institutions (both Government Ministries and Law Enforcement agencies).

Project objectives

1. To identify the existing gaps on migration-related transnational organised crime in Indonesian waters and better understand the areas where the project can address through targeted interventions.
2. To explore the extent of a common understanding among maritime stakeholders on the nexus between migration and transnational organised crime. 
3. To develop a community of maritime security practice in Indonesia by strengthening a whole-of-government approach and whole of society engagement on the issues where maritime security intersects with migration-related transnational organised crime.
4. To provide a platform for maritime security stakeholders to come together and improve interagency collaboration on the issues surrounding maritime security and migration-related transnational organised crime at sea.
   
   

Impact statement

Societal Impact

It is anticipated that the project interventions will support local coastal communities, especially in remote Indonesian Islands to get a better understanding of the investigated migration-related crimes at sea, and contribute via community policing and reporting in addressing them more efficiently in the vast Indonesian archipelago. It is also anticipated that it will gradually reduce the number of victims of trafficking and smuggling by sea in Indonesia, albeit difficult to measure, and develop better infrastructure to support potential survivors.

Policy Impact

The project aspires to influence the Indonesian maritime security policy by contributing to the improvement of the Indonesian maritime security governance structure, interagency collaboration and review of the existing relevant legislation and key stakeholders’ mandates to minimise overlapping and potentially conflicting mandates.

Academic Impact

This project contributes towards bridging the gap between academia and policy makers, by introducing the concept of migration-related Transnational Organised Crime as one of the prominent contemporary maritime security challenges. It also conducts a study in multiple Indonesian locations to raise awareness and present the current trends around human smuggling and trafficking in the Indonesian archipelago.