This urgent humanitarian and security situation threatens stability in the region and beyond, but the political transition in progress in Syria could provide the opportunity to intensify repatriating.
The problem was the issue of a high -level international conference organized by the Iraq government with the technical support of the UN Contrarrorism Office (UNOCT), held outside the debate of the General Assembly on Friday.
Mainly women and children
Currently, more than 30,000 people, including alleged foreign terrorist combatants and their relatives, are arrested in the notorious Al-Hol camp and other surrounding sites.
The majority are women and it is estimated that 60 percent of the general population in these facilities is under 18, and mainly under 12 years.
Foreign citizens are 8,500 people from more than 62 countries.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres (right 2nd) met with Syria returnees at the Jeddah Rehabilitation Center, Iraq, in March 2023.
Iraq leads the way
At its peak, Isil controlled large areas through Syria and Iraq, committing generalized atrocities, including massive executions, rape and forced recruitment, to its impulse to establish an Islamist caliphate.
Many of the detainees are from these two countries, and Iraq has assumed a main role in the repatriation of their nationals, with more than 17,000 returned through an integrated security, legal and humanitarian operation.
“Our goal is to reintegrate them in their communities and their places of origin,” said President Abdul Latif Rashid.
“We cooperate with international organizations to achieve this goal. Our goal is to guarantee a safe future and a dignified life in their country.”
Possible ‘radicalization incubators’
Back in Syria, the conditions in the camps “are serious and very alarming,” said UN Under General Secretary of the UN for counter-terrorism, Alexandre Zouev.
Residents not only “face prolonged detention without legal basis and without due process”, but “women and girls have experienced or are at risk of sexual violence”, while boys lack essential elements and access to formal education.
“With Daesh attacks and a variety of humanitarian actors that limit services, The camps threaten to become incubators of terrorist radicalization and future recruitment“He warned.
‘Window’ for action
The UN believes that the fall of the Assad regime in Syria last December and other developments in the country have provided “a window for decisive action” on the subject.
‘While the situation in the northeast of Syria becomes more complex with increasing volatility, Daesh attacks and limited humanitarian access, Member States have new ways now to commit directly to different stakeholders and to advance solutions“Said Guy Ryder, Deputy Secretary General of Policies.
“But that window can be limited quickly, and inaction would lead to serious consequences for regional stability and international peace and security.”
Theme of Syrian returnees
Mr. Ryder spoke on behalf of the Secretary General whose special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, also highlighted an agreement signed in March between the new authorities in Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) led by Kurdish, the de facto authorities in the northeast.
“He emphasized the need for the total integration of all civil and military institutions in the northeast of Syria in the administration of the Syrian State” and requires guaranteeing “the return of all the Syrians displaced to their cities and peoples and ensuring the protection of the Syrian state.”
Repatriation only ‘The first step’
UN officials underlined the organization’s commitment to support countries in their repatriation efforts, asking for renewed urgency and impulse.
Iraq has also offered to share his experience, with President Rashid urging the international community to “change the page in this inhuman chapter” and empty the camps by the end of the year.
However, as Mr. Zouv pointed out, “repatriation is only the first step in the long trip to break the cycle of violence.”
He explained that “it must be complemented with responsibility, as well as the support of rehabilitation and reintegration adapted to the diverse needs of different returned”, and foster confidence in the communities that receive them.
“In this sense, it is absolutely crucial not to lose sight of the imperative of justice for victims and survivors of terrorism,” he added.