Because of the complexities involved in investigating and prosecuting the smuggling of migrants, a range of actors need to be involved. The United Nations Smuggling of Migrants Protocol does not prescribe how national agencies should coordinate their roles and responsibilities. However, many States have established inter-agency coordinating bodies or committees to work on smuggling-related issues across their governments. A whole-of-government approach assists not only in developing and implementing policy and strategic responses, but also in achieving operational success. Migrant smuggling is a multifaceted endeavour; therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended, not only at the inter-ministerial level, but also involving cooperation with non-state actors. NGOs, international organizations, and the private sector can support national responses in various initiatives of capacity-building, coordination and the exchange of good practices (Mann, 2018: 116). For example, inviting civil society organizations to participate in operations to address migrant smuggling is essential to protect and assist migrants. It can also contribute to empowering migrants to support government officials in investigating and prosecuting smugglers.
There are significant challenges to achieving effective cooperation between actors, particularly where interests and agendas may not align or may even be opposed.
Inter-agency cooperation
Large-scale investigations may involve several agencies, all of which have responsibility for prosecuting different crimes resulting from, or running in tandem with, migrants smuggling. Cooperation among these institutions should be facilitated at both legal and procedural levels.