Chapter 1 Migrant Deaths: An International Overview
A global monitoring framework involving a range of actors should be established to bring together data on deaths globally. IOM plans to continue working to improve data on migrant border-related fatalities in several ways. Ongoing data collection concerning deaths around the world began in January 2014 and will be continued, feeding into an online database and portal dedicated to presenting more up-to-date figures on fatalities globally. IOM aims to enhance coordination with field offices to improve reliability and completeness of its dataset. Additionally, data on deaths can be improved through partnerships with NGOs and academics. Annual reports will make available most recent data on deaths and global estimates. This report makes a series of key recommendations on ways in which data can be improved in the future, in order to help reduce the number of migrant deaths and to allow more families to know the fate of their missing relatives. Key recommendations: 1. An independent monitoring body should be established with representatives of governments, civil society and international organizations to promote the collection, harmonization and analysis of data on migrant deaths globally. Currently, varying methodologies and definitions hinder comparability between regions and even within national contexts. IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, which collects data on migrant deaths globally, could act to coordinate this new initiative. 2. At the national level, governments should be encouraged to take greater responsibility for collecting data on migrant deaths, in partnership with civil society organizations to ensure transparency and accountability. While methods of data collection should be improved, governments may also utilize existing data, such as that contained in death records and coroners’ reports. Survivors, who often have a great deal of information about smuggling operations, as well as relatives of the deceased should also be encouraged to speak out and share information without fear of sanctions in order to help prevent further tragedies. 3. Innovative data initiatives should be promoted and shared more widely. For example, a partnership between medical examiners’ offices and human rights groups in Arizona has resulted in the creation of the Arizona OpenGIS Initiative for Deceased Migrants, an online mapping tool that allows anyone to search the hundreds of known deaths of migrants in parts of the State since 2001. Such a tool allows for changes in migrant routes to be tracked over time, and can help humanitarian assistance along routes to be better targeted. 38
Fatal Journey 2014.indb 38
10/16/2014 4:18:44 PM