Briefing paper on Greece boat tragedy calls for policy

Islamabad:The Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) has launched a comprehensive briefing paper titled ‘Greece Boat Tragedy: Policy and Legal Recommendations’ in response to the catastrophic Greece boat tragedy that resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. The briefing paper emphasises the need for Pakistan to urgently strengthen its legal and policy frameworks to combat human smuggling and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The document provides a detailed roadmap addressing the multifaceted challenges of irregular migration. It calls for amendments to anti-human smuggling legislation to ensure that smuggled migrants are recognised as victims and granted comprehensive protections, including immunity from prosecution. The paper also stresses the importance of integrating victim rehabilitation, data analysis, and training programs into enforcement strategies while acknowledging the critical role of civil society in awareness and victim support.

A key recommendation is to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary through specialised training for police, prosecutors, and judges. Establishing regional task forces and procedural manuals to streamline coordination among law enforcement, immigration authorities, and victim service providers is also highlighted. To strengthen border security, the briefing paper proposes multi-layered surveillance systems incorporating advanced technologies such as biometrics and AI-driven analytics to monitor migration flows effectively.

Another focus area highlighted by the paper is inter-agency collaboration is another crucial area of focus. The paper recommends forming a central coordination body under the Ministry of Interior to oversee the implementation of the National Action Plan on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. Integrating databases among the FIA, NADRA, and border authorities to enhance intelligence sharing is proposed, alongside creating inter-agency task forces to improve investigative and prosecutorial capacities.

Public awareness campaigns are identified as essential to addressing the root causes of irregular migration. The paper calls for nationwide multimedia initiatives featuring survivor testimonies and educational modules on safe migration pathways, targeting youth in migration-prone areas through schools, social media, and community outreach programs. Additionally, partnerships with civil society organisations are recommended to conduct grassroots awareness drives.

The briefing paper also emphasises the importance of reintegration and economic support programs. It advocates for aligning youth employment policies with entrepreneurship and skills development initiatives to reduce economic push factors driving irregular migration.