International Efforts to Combat Irregular Migration in the Light of International Conventions

Abstract

Irregular migration represents a global dilemma with multiple dimensions, torn between concerns over sovereignty and national security on the one hand, and human rights and humanitarian obligations on the other. To address this growing challenge, international efforts have been pooled through the formulation of a legal framework and agreements at various levels – whether bilateral, regional or international – with the active participation of governments and UN organisations. Nevertheless, these efforts are hampered by a lack of balance between the security-oriented approach aimed at controlling borders and the need to uphold the human dignity of migrants and protect them from smuggling and human trafficking networks. Consequently, it is clear that purely deterrent strategies remain inadequate unless they are accompanied by measures to tackle the root causes of the phenomenon—such as poverty and conflict—through genuine international partnerships centred on sustainable development in countries of origin.