Despite the UK government’s efforts, some migration experts question the impact of such campaigns. [Getty]
The UK Home Office has introduced a digital campaign in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region to dispel misinformation spread by smugglers. Announced on 4 March 2025, the campaign aims to warn potential migrants about the dangers of irregular journeys and the false promises made by criminal networks.
This initiative is part of the government’s “Plan for Change,” which prioritises enhanced border security and cracking down on human trafficking through the Border Security Command.
According to Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, “Criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, and we must protect them from these life-threatening deceptions.”
The UKÂ parliament is reviewing the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill to strengthen law enforcement powers against smugglers.
Meanwhile, Martin Hewitt, the UK’s Border Security Commander, recently visited Iraq and the KRI to coordinate efforts against organised immigration crime, stating, “Global cooperation is key to dismantling these networks.”
Despite the measures, nearly 30 people from Iraqi Kurdistan drowned on 15 June 2024 after a yacht carrying around 80 capsized off Italy. Among those who died were women and children, underscoring the severe dangers of irregular migration.
Ari Jalal, head of the Kurdish NGO Summit for Refugees and Displaced Affairs (Lutka), told The New Arab, “Although close to a million Kurds and Iraqis have reached Europe, fewer than a thousand have fallen victim to illegal routes. Broader strategies are needed to address the root causes of migration.”
As the Home Office expands its campaign and releases a short film on its Border Security Command, the focus remains on preventing tragedies and prosecuting criminal gangs. Officials plan to extend outreach throughout 2025, warning diaspora communities in the UK about smugglers’ tactics and reinforcing borders as part of a combined international effort.
