Transcript Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking to Canada from Asia

Irregular Migration
and Trafficking in
Persons to Canada
from Asia
San Diego, CA
May 21-22, 2007
Immigration to Canada: a Global Picture
• Canada - a nation of immigrants
• 2006 – over 250,000 permanent residents
• Temporary Resident Visas (2006): 799,000
•Large land mass with multiple points of entry/exit
• Land
• Sea
• Air
• Multi Cultural society
• diverse language, culture and religions
Migration to Canada from Asia
•
130,000 Permanent Residents from Asia in 2006 (52% of total
permanent residents)
•
Top source countries of regular immigration (Asia): China, India,
Philippines, Pakistan
Immigration from Asia to Canada and
the Proportion of Total Immigration to Canada
200,000
60
180,000
50
160,000
140,000
40
120,000
100,000
30
80,000
20
60,000
40,000
10
20,000
0
0
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
Asian Immigration
1998
2000
Percentage of Total
2002
2004
2006
Migration to Canada from Asia
•
130,000 permanent residents from Asia in 2006 (52% of total
Permanent Residents)
•
Top source countries of regular immigration (Asia): China, India,
Philippines, Pakistan
•
Top source countries of irregular migration (Asia): China, India,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Irregular migration from Asia is declining but still makes up 28% of all
irregular migration to Canada(2006)
Largest proportion of Asian irregular migrants arrive in Vancouver,
(however, the largest number of Asian inland refugee claimants make
their claim in Toronto)
•
•
Smuggling vs Trafficking In Persons
Smuggling
• A business transaction between two willing parties involving the illegal
movement of people across an International border
Trafficking in Persons
• A process that involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or
receipt of persons, by various means of coercion, force, fraud, or the abuse of
power for the purpose of exploitation, which typically includes sexual exploitation or
forced labour.
Canadian law enforcement definition of TIP and smuggling based on UN
International Instruments. TIP definition found in the Immigration and
Refugee Protection Act and the Criminal Code.
Methods of irregular entry into
Canada by Asian Nationals
•
Techniques used are ever changing:
– Use of boats
– Use of airlines
– Inland refugee claims – evidence of visa/immigration fraud
– Fraudulent documents
– Fraudulent use of legal process – tourist visas etc
•
•
Consistent evolution of irregular entry methods indicate a high level of
knowledge and sharing of information among human smugglers and
traffickers
Smuggled migrants can become victims of TIP at any point in the
smuggling process
Nature of TIP in Canada
• TIP occurs across and within borders in Canada
• Canada is primarily a destination and transit country for trafficked victims to
the US. Although not a significant origin country, case law shows victims are
trafficked domestically
• Source regions tend to be Asia, Eastern Europe, and parts of Africa
• Victims are often promised legitimate, well-paying jobs as caregivers,
waitresses or models.
•Victims have been trafficked for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced
labour.
•The clandestine nature of TIP makes it difficult to quantify the extent of the
problem in Canada and internationally.
Trends in Organized Crime &
Links to TIP
•
•
Gradual shift from large traditionally hierarchical style groups to a
smaller business model style of contracting out areas of
responsibilities
Crime organizations tend to target members of their own ethnic
background
– Asian and Eastern European OC groups have been most involved in
trafficking victims to Canada
•
•
Crime organizations are eager to branch out to other Nationalities
and cultures as groups develop specific “niches”
Diversification
– contracting out of the various aspects involved in the movement of
people, to other cultures
– Moving of multiple types of commodities (people, drugs, guns)
•
Commodities used for payment include not only cash, but drugs,
guns, knowledge and special skills
Canada’s Approach
to Combat Trafficking in Persons
Prosecution
Prevention
UN Human
Trafficking
Protocol
Protection
Partnerships
Canada’s Approach to Combat TIP
• The “Four Ps” approach
– Prevention: Multiple borders strategy, AwarenessRaising, Training of Law Enforcement officers
– Protection: Temporary Resident Permits, Victims’
needs
– Prosecution: Criminal Code and IRPA offences
for human trafficking
– Partnerships: Domestic, Canada-US, Regional,
International,
Best practices to combat
TIP from Asia to Canada
• Victims needs:
– Recognition of cultural diversity, age, gender and unique
needs
• International cooperation:
– International law enforcement protocols (mechanisms to
facilitate International investigations)
– Need for direct communication channels
– Participation in regional forums in Asia (e.g. Bali Process)
– Technical Assistance (DFAIT, CIDA), including prevention in
source countries overseas (Shattered dreams-IOM )
– CBSA Migration Integrity Officers / RCMP Liaison Officers
Information Sources
• US-Canada Bi-National Assessment of Trafficking in Persons
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/le/_fl/1666i-en.pdf
• 2006 CISC Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada
http://www.cisc.gc.ca/annual_reports/annual_report2006/coverpa
ge_2006_e.htm
Contact information
CBSA
Anti-Fraud & Human Trafficking Section
(613) 954-6133 or (613) 946-6067
[email protected]
David PARK (RCMP)
(613) 949-7753
[email protected]