Repatriation from Syrian camps on case-by-case basis only: UK

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Any repatriation of British nationals from Syria will be on a case-by-case basis because some are considered “dangerous,” a United Kingdom government spokesperson said in response to a report by a British advocacy group that accused London of failing to protect women and children trafficked by the Islamic State group (ISIS).

"Our priority is to ensure the safety and security of the UK. Those who remain in Syria include dangerous individuals who chose to stay to fight or otherwise support a group that committed atrocious crimes including butchering and beheading innocent civilians,” a UK government spokesperson told Rudaw English by email on Monday.

"Where we become aware of British unaccompanied or orphaned children, or if British children are able to seek consular assistance, we will work to facilitate their return, subject to national security concerns,” said the spokesperson, adding that decisions are made on a “case by case basis.”

UK-based advocacy group Reprieve on Friday said the country is "failing to protect" women and children trafficked by ISIS and detained in northeastern Syria (Rojava).

The report found that at least 63% of British women detained indefinitely at camps in Rojava have been trafficked. One, Nadia, was a child of 12 when she was taken to Syria from the UK by a male relative. She was forced into marriage and became pregnant at 15 as a result of rape. Both Nadia and her son are being held in camps and have no prospects of returning to the UK, according to Reprieve. 

Al-Hol camp houses an estimated 60,000 people from dozens of countries, the majority of whom are family members of suspected ISIS fighters, including more than 8,500 foreign nationals, according to the latest figures sent to Rudaw English by Rojava Information Center on Saturday.

They have been interned in the camp since the territorial defeat of ISIS in Syria two years ago. Two-thirds of the camp’s population are children. The camp has been described as a humanitarian disaster and a potential breeding ground for extremism.

Kurdish and foreign authorities have continuously called on foreign states to repatriate their children. The United Nations in February called on 57 member states to repatriate their nationals.

Relatives of women and children held at al-Hol and the smaller Roj camp have also campaigned to bring their family members home, even going on hunger strike.