A Case Study on the Role of IORA and IONS in Combating Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration in the Western Indian Ocean (2015–2025)

Abstract

This case study examines the role of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in addressing human trafficking and irregular migration in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) from 2015 to 2025. We assess the role of these regional organizations in promoting naval collaboration, harmonizing legal frameworks, and sharing intelligence to address transnational maritime crimes, applying Securitization Theory to examine how non-traditional threats are framed as existential security issues. The study employs a qualitative methodology, integrating case study analysis, policy-legal reviews, and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, along with secondary data drawn from institutional reports and academic literature. It has been shown that IORA and IONS have been successful in considering human trafficking and migration as security concerns resulting in the establishment of unified naval operations and agreements like the 2017 IORA Maritime Safety and Security Agreement. However, no operational inequalities can be completely removed due to the unequal distribution of resources among member states, and the security-centered approaches often do not take the rights of victims into account, creating ethical dilemmas. Statistics depict that the number of migrants apprehended at the initial stages of the process was at its most concerning peak in 2021, then the curve began to decline, and new strategies to prevent migration may have been developed or migration patterns changed. The paper highlights the importance of building capacity in less-endowed nations, having formalized mechanisms of sharing of intelligence, and integrating humanitarian principles in security policies. To fill the gaps in the academic field of maritime security, the given study will develop the action plan to enhance the governance of the region and balance securitization with the respect of human rights, thus promoting the further discussion of maritime security and its role in decreasing transnational crime.