Follow Belgium by repatriating children and women from squalid Syrian camps, RSI urges governments
5th March 2021
Belgian policy announced yesterday should prompt other returns and rights protections
(London, 5 March 2021) – Belgiums decision to take back a significant number of Belgian children and women from squalid camps in North-East Syria intended for the families of alleged Islamic State members should prompt other countries to repatriate their citizens instead of dragging their feet, as many are doing, Rights and Security International (RSI) said today.
This is a promising step in the right direction, although it is imperative that all women and children be repatriated from these camps, where conditions are so bad that they amount to torture or inhumane treatment, said Alison Huyghe, Research and Advocacy Officer at RSI. Leaving some women or older children behind is not a viable optionu2014everyone in these camps has human rights and is experiencing serious harms.
Belgiums Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, announced yesterday that his government will facilitate the return of all Belgian children under the age of 12 from the squalid camps in which they are currently living in North-East Syria. For the first time, Belgian women will also be considered for return on the basis of an individualised assessment.
There are estimated to be fewer than 60 Belgian nationals remaining in Roj and al Hol camps in North-East Syria. Around 38 are Belgian children under the age of 12.