ABSTRACT
From the perspective of media, border authorities, and public opinion, human smuggling is perceived as an exploitative business that, more often than not, spirals downward to forms of trafficking and coerced migration. Syrian refugees are depicted as victims exploited and deceived by a cartel of violent men who prey on their vulnerability. This chapter argues that the combination of population displacement and armed conflict does not necessarily enhance the exposure of people to exploitation. It first focuses on the Syrian asylum seekers' journey to Europe and the difficulties encountered on the route. It then gives closer scrutiny to the structure and modus operandi of the smuggling networks operating in the area. The chapter concludes by briefly looking at the shortcomings of the current migration policy implemented in the Mediterranean Sea and the nexus between border control and forms of exploitation.
