Migration

The research programme on migration examines the dynamic flows of people’s movement in Asia and the challenges confronting states and societies in the region. Given that a large share of migration movements in the region is ‘irregular’ and/or mixed in nature, the programme looks at the interplay between issues, actors and policies that shape the institutional frameworks of migration governance in Asia. Among the issues covered in the programme include: the problems of irregular migration, challenges of integration, linkages between migration and national security, and migration as a development multiplier in addressing demographic deficits and labour market gaps.

The research also examines regional approaches to managing migration, particularly in ASEAN. It examines gaps in protection regimes and identifies areas where regional cooperation can be enhanced.

The key topics covered in this programme are:

1. Migration regimes and governance
2. Labour migration and its impact of the ASEAN economic community
3. Forced migration, protection and human security

Publications

Commentaries

• Mely Caballero-Anthony, Forced Migration: Some Sobering Realities , RSIS Commentaries , 24 June 2016.

Books

• Mely Caballero-Anthony and Toshihiro Menju, Asia on the Move: Regional Migration and the Role of Civil Society. Tokyo: Japan Center for International Exchange, 2015.
• Alistair D.B. Cook and Jiyoung Song. Irregular Migration and Human Security in East Asia. London: Routledge, 2014.
• Lorraine Elliott.Climate Change, Migration and Human Security in Southeast Asia. RSIS Monograph No.24. Singapore: RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, 2012.

Policy Brief

• Mely Caballero-Anthony and Pau Khan Khup Hangzo.’Managing Cross-Border Movements of People in Southeast Asia: Promoting Capacity and Response for Irregular Migration in Southeast Asia.’ NTS Issues Brief No.IS 13-02. Singapore: RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, February 2013.
• Kevin Punzalan.‘The Economic Crisis and Labour Migrants: A Test for Human Security.’ NTS Insight. Singapore: RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, June 2009.

Working Papers

• Tasneem Siddiqui and M. Rashed Alam Bhuiyan.“Emergency Return of Bangladeshi Migrants from Libya.” NTS Working Paper No.9. Singapore: RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, 2013.
• Lorraine Elliott. ‘Climate Change and Migration in Southeast Asia: Responding to a New Human Security Challenge.’ Asia Security Initiative Policy Series (ASIPS) Working Paper No.20. Singapore: RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, February 2012.

Journal Articles

• Mayer, Benoit, Ingrid Boas, J. Jackson Ewing, Alice Baillat, and Uttam Kumar Das. “Governing Environmentally-Related Migration in Bangladesh: Responsibilities, Security and the Causality Problem.” Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, Vol. 22, No.2, 2013: 177-98.

Edited Chapters

• Alistair D.B. Cook “Human Insecurity and Displacement along Myanmar’s Borders.” In Jiyoung Song and Alistair D. B. Cook (eds.) Irregular Migration and Human Security in East Asia. London: Routledge, 2014.