As a vast region with myriad islands, peninsulas and ancient sea routes, maritime migration is part of Asia’s tradition. But it has become increasingly complex as refugees and irregular migrants move around the region by sea, challenging governments in the Asia-Pacific region to control their borders, regulate immigration and fulfil their obligations under international law.

In ‘Irregular Maritime Migration in the Bay of Bengal Region: The Challenges of Protection, Management and Cooperation’, author Kathleen Newland looks at the emerging trends in irregular migration in the Bay of Bengal region, and explores how the countries can cooperate to enhance migration management and protection of these migrants.

This issue in brief is the thirteenth in the series of policy papers by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) and the International Organization for Migration’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific that offer succinct insights on migration issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region today.