Sydney, Australia
CNN
—
Australia has repatriated a gaggle of ladies and kids who had been left stranded in refugee camps in northeastern Syria after the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group misplaced management of the realm in 2019.
In an announcement issued on Saturday, Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil stated that the group, made up of 4 Australian girls and their 13 youngsters, had arrived in New South Wales.
“The focus has been the safety and security of all Australians as well as the safety of those involved in the operation,” she stated. “The government has carefully considered the range of security, community and welfare factors in making the decision to repatriate.”
Earlier this month Canberra stated it hoped to rescue from refugee camps in Syria dozens of Australian girls and kids who belonged to the households of lifeless or jailed ISIS fighters.
The 4 girls had allegedly traveled from Australia to the Middle East to marry ISIS fighters.
O’Neil added that Australian regulation enforcement companies would “continue to engage with” and examine different members of the group.
“Allegations of unlawful activity will continue to be investigated,” she stated.
“Any identified offenses may lead to law enforcement action being taken.”
Rights teams welcomed the repatriations.
Mat Tinkler, CEO at Save the Children Australia, stated that the Australian authorities had “done the right and just thing.”
“They have given these children hope for their futures and placed their trust in the robustness of Australia’s national security, judicial and resettlement systems to support their safe integration into Australian society,” Tinkler stated.
He added that there have been nonetheless greater than 30 Australian youngsters who had been caught in camps in Syria. “We will not rest until every Australian child is brought home,” he stated.
“We urge the government to repatriate them as quickly as possible.”
Sophie McNeill, Australia researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated that different Australians nonetheless held in dire circumstances with out cost or trial in northeastern Syria must be introduced house too.
“Australia can play a leadership role on counter terrorism through these orderly repatriations of its nationals – mostly children who never chose to live under ISIS,” McNeill stated.
“They can prosecute the adults if warranted.”