Author: Anita Herlina
Herlina, Anita, 2019 The significance of the Bali process in fostering awareness of irregular migration in Asia Pacific region, Flinders University, College of Business, Government and Law
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The purpose of this research project is to understand the significance of the Bali Process as a forum in the Asia Pacific region to address the issue of irregular migration. The Bali Process was initiated by Australia as a transnational diplomacy to engage with other nations equally in Australia’s national interest. Its primary focus is fostering awareness of irregular migration in the Asia Pacific Region. In particular, the Bali Process represents a turning point in the Australia-Indonesia relationship which deteriorated due to issues such as the Tampa Affair (2001) and the East Timor Independence Process (1999). This research project explores the effectiveness of the Bali Process to address issues of irregular migration and the compliance with refugee protection protocols within the forum. This thesis explores the phenomenon of irregular maritime arrival in Australia, securitisation of irregular migration relative to people smuggling and human trafficking, the significance of Indonesia as a transit country, the involvement of international organisations in the Bali Process and the mechanism of the Bali Process. This research argues that irregular migration was not adequately addressed through the Bali Process because the number of boat people has not decreased since the inception of the Bali Process. It is also argued that the Bali Process does not incorporate sufficient measures for refugee protection. The notion of refugee protection within the forum is tokenistic and has not been translated into practice. With this in mind, this research project notes the importance of refugee protection within the forum and provides recommendations accordingly.
Keywords: The Bali Process, Asia Pacific, Irregular Migration, Securitisation, People Smuggling, Human Trafficking, Refugee Protection
Subject: International Relations thesis, International Relations thesis
Thesis type: Masters
Completed: 2019
School: College of Business, Government and Law
Supervisor: Dr Priyambudi Sulistiyanto