European Commissioner: Getting foreign children out of the camps in eastern Syria is an absolute priority
The Commissioner of the “Council of Europe for Human Rights” called on member states to allow the return of their citizens detained in Syria because of their joining the Islamic State, in a move opposed by France and Britain.
Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic said that the nationals of the 47 countries of the Council “fall within the jurisdiction of those countries,” pointing out that the health and security situation in the camps endangers the lives and physical and mental health of those detained there, especially children.
She added that “such a situation cannot be compatible with the prohibition of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment stipulated in Article 3 of the European Charter on Human Rights.” .
The commissioner stressed that “the removal of all foreign children from the camps is an absolute priority,” and stressed “the need to bring their mothers back with them.”
While some countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, have returned a number of their citizens who fought with the Islamic State in Syria, other countries have returned only the wives and children who were with them, and Paris and London insist that the adults who joined the gunmen and detainees in a camp controlled by Syrian Democratic Forces, and they must appear before local courts.
Aid groups have warned of the poor conditions of the al-Hol camp for prisoners who lack adequate health care and water, and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged US allies this week to return citizens detained for joining ISIS, warning that they cannot be held in Syria for as long as Infinity.
About 64,000 people, mostly women and children, are being held in Al-Hol camp, including thousands from Europe and Asia suspected of having a family relationship with ISIS fighters.
