[ad_1]
Denmark’s government said on Tuesday it was considering repatriating the children of Danish extremists in Syria, changing tack as numerous European countries grapple with what to do.
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Copenhagen announced it had set up a commission to study the conditions for the children’s potential return to Denmark “as soon as possible”, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The government is concerned about the risk of radicalisation if the children languish in the Kurdish-controlled camps in Syria.
The commission is to present its conclusions on May 15.
A total of 19 children of Danish nationals are currently in the al-Hol and Roj camps in Syria.
Denmark’s minority Social Democratic government had until now been firmly opposed to their repatriation, but a majority of MPs insisted it change its position because of the humanitarian situation in the camps and the risk of radicalisation.
File photo of one a French woman, a wife of an ISIS fighter at al-Hol camp in al-Hasakeh governorate in northeastern Syria on February 17, 2019. (File photo: AFP)
A recent poll showed 49 percent of Danes were opposed to the repatriation of children aged one to 14.
In mid-March, the “Repatriate the Children” organization had filed a complaint to police against the government, saying it was “putting children’s lives in danger”.
“The situation in the camps continues to deteriorate. The security and health conditions are poor, and there is a widespread lack of basic services, including medicines, healthcare and drinking water,” said the ministry.
“This affects the children — who in contrast to their parents are not responsible for their current situation — particularly hard.”
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has meanwhile reiterated in recent days that the parents would not be repatriated.
“We are still of the opinion that those who turned their backs on Denmark should not be helped by the Danish government, nor anyone else, to return to Denmark,” she said.
Some 43,000 foreigners are currently being held in northeastern Syria, with the men detained in prisons and the woman and children held in camps, according to Human Rights Watch.
Of them, 27,500 are foreign minors.
European countries have taken different positions on the matter. Belgium said in early March it would do its best to repatriate some 30 Belgian children from Syria.
Read more:
Kurds say they have arrested 53 suspected ISIS members in Syria’s al-Hol camp
Dozens of ISIS family members arrested in Syria’s al-Hol Camp: Monitor
Syria’s al-Hol camp for ISIS families records 31 murders this year
[ad_2]
Source link
