Australian authorities welcome back group of women and children from ISIL ties

A group of 19 individuals, including six women and 13 children, with alleged ties to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), have returned to Australia. The group arrived at two separate airports on Tuesday, one in Sydney and the other in Melbourne.

The Australian government has stated that it did not provide any assistance to the individuals during their time abroad. Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke described the situation as “horrific” and emphasized that those found to have engaged in criminal activity will be prosecuted.

This is the second cohort of Australian women and children to return from Syria this month. The group’s arrival has sparked controversy, with some sections of Australian society expressing anger over their return.

According to reports, a large police presence was deployed at Melbourne airport, where a scuffle reportedly broke out as the group was escorted out through a side entrance. The Australian Federal Police have stated that investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been made.

The government’s reluctance to repatriate citizens who traveled to join ISIL has been compared to other Western countries, including France and the UK. In 2022, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concerns over France’s failure to repatriate children born to French nationals in Syria.

A visiting fellow at Loughborough University, Afzal Ashraf, has emphasized the need for comprehensive mental health support and reintroduction programs for returnees. He noted that while there may be some security challenges associated with their return, the threat posed by these individuals is relatively low compared to other risks such as road accidents.

The group’s arrival has highlighted the complexities of repatriation and the need for a nuanced approach to addressing the issue.

Source: Al Jazeera