Australian citizens stranded in Syrian camps
The families of around 40 Australian women and children who are being held in dire conditions in camps in northeast Syria for years have decided to take legal action through the child rights group Save the Children to try and secure their repatriation. However, the Australian government has not taken any step yet, which is disappointing and concerning. Despite the Australian government’s long-standing request that all of its citizens involved in ISIS programs will be held accountable, leaving vulnerable citizens in unsafe conditions in places like Syria raises human rights concerns.
Collective punishment of children
Many of the women and children detained in these camps have been taken to Syria by spouses, parents, or other family members who sought to join the Islamic State (ISIS). Unfortunately, the children are being collectively punished for the acts of their parents, which is against international human rights standards. These Australian children are residing in camps, enduring extremely difficult living conditions, where disease, despair, and death are rife, which poses a severe risk to their health and safety.
Active war zone and growing safety risks
These camps are located inside an active war zone, exacerbating the risks these Australians face. Therefore, each passing day increases the likelihood of harm to their lives and wellbeing. In particular, three Australian boys approaching adolescence face a severe risk of being forcibly removed from the camps and taken to separate locations without their mothers, which is an indirect violation of children’s rights. One Australian boy has previously died last year in a prison for older boys and men.
International obligations of Australian government
Human Rights Watch has been continuously advocated for the Australian women and children held in the camps to be repatriated, and the authorities should also work to bring back the Australian men held in prisons in northeast Syria for alleged ISIS links. A considerable number of other countries have repatriated their citizens from Syria. In contrast, the new Australian government has not yet allowed the return of these citizens who remain in very poor living conditions in Syrian camps, which is a matter of great concern.
Legal action and responsibility of the government
The families of the stranded Australian citizens have resorted to legal action with Save the Children as their last resort to bring their loved ones home, which is entirely understandable. However, it is incumbent upon the government to abide by their previous moral convictions and bring these citizens home instead of using taxpayer money to fight legal challenges like this. The Australian government should follow the example of the Netherlands and Canada, who have repatriated their citizens from Syria.
Conclusion
It is high time for the Australian government to take a legal and moral responsibility and take prompt action to rescue their citizens from these unsafe camps. The stranded Australians in Syria are not only facing severe threats to their lives and safety but are also being held in abysmal and inhumane conditions. The current government must recognize the human rights violations and promptly act to bring its stranded citizens back home.
<< photo by Anas Aldyab >>