Published in La Revue Dessinée, the investigation by Fabien Perrier and Taina Tervonen examines the criminalisation of migrants who steer boats during crossings to Europe. Through cases in France, Greece, Spain, Italy and the UK, the journalists reveal how people at the helm of migrant boats can face severe human-trafficking charges despite having little or no role in organising or profiting from the crossings.
The investigation challenges the narrative that these convictions necessarily represent successful action against human-smuggling networks, highlighting instead the complex realities behind the prosecution of so-called “boat drivers”.
