United Nations Radio

A new report by the International Organization for Migration says increasing numbers of smuggled migrants from the Horn and East Africa to South Africa suffer from human rights violations.

Migrants from Horn of Africa

IOM says the men, particularly those from Ethiopia and Somalia are routinely deceived, abused, exploited and stigmatized from the moment they leave their homes until they reach South Africa.

The report, entitled "In Pursuit of the Southern Dream: Victims of Necessity" say the male migrants suffer at the hands of their smugglers, local criminals, and even officials who should be protecting them.

The abuses include harassment, beatings, robberies and in some cases rape.

IOM says on average migrants pay up to $2000 for the journey although fees can be higher if they fly part of the way or are flown directly to South Africa.

The report estimates that up to 20,000 Ethiopian and Somali male migrants are smuggled every year from the Horn of Africa to South Africa where they may settle or travel on to Europe, the United States or Australia.

The report recommends that irregular migrants should be protected in accordance with international law instead of being perceived as perpetrators of criminal acts.

It says laws should penalize those who organize and benefit from smuggling with more attention paid to allegations of official corruption and that countries should cooperate to tackle the problem of smuggling.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

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