Montreal, 10 April 2023 (GNP): According to the foreign affairs department, this week, four women and ten children who were allegedly affiliated with the militant Islamic State group (ISIL) were repatriated to Canada from detention camps in northeastern Syria.
Police stated in a statement that three of the women were detained at the airport before appearing in court on a “terrorism peace bond application,” form of a restraining order.
Canadian news agency reported that 14 people were freed on Thursday from the Al-Roj detention facility, transported to Germany on a US military aircraft, and then put on planes for Canada.
One of them, a 38-year-old anonymous lady, was flown to Alberta in western Canada and was later freed on bail awaiting a hearing to determine the terms of her status.
Lawrence Greenspon, her attorney, clarified that “This is not a criminal charge” and stated that the prosecution would want to “ensure that the person follows the conditions for a period of up to one year.”
Ammara Amjad and Dure Ahmed are the other two, and they “will remain in custody until their next hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday,” according to police.
Regarding the fourth lady, “everything was good,” said Greenspon, the attorney for all four returned ladies. She is not facing any criminal charges or a demand for a peace bond due to terrorism.
“Amidst reports of deteriorating conditions in the camps in northeastern Syria, we have been particularly concerned about the health and wellbeing of Canadian children”, said Global Affairs Canada.
“Canada remains steadfast in its commitment in the fight against Daesh [ISIL] and global terrorism while vigorously defending human rights both domestically and abroad”, it added.
Children in the camps suffer potential dangers including malnutrition, according to a Canadian immigration lawyer who spoke to a news agency.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has already been under criticism for taking a long time to return Canadians who were detained in the severely unsanitary camps in Syria.
The US State Department stated on Thursday that it “appreciates” and backed Canada’s decision to repatriate 14 people.
In a statement, it stated that “resolving the humanitarian and security challenges that followed the dismantlement of ISIS’s so-called “caliphate” is a key priority” for the US and its partners.
In October last year, Canada deported two women and two children detained in Syria, and in 2020, Ottawa approved the release of a five-year-old orphan after her uncle sued the government.
It is yet unknown if any of the individuals being returned to Canada may face prosecution for suspected affiliation with the militant group or not.
However, countries throughout the world have been discussing what to do with people who joined ISIL but now seek to return to their home countries.
According to Global Affairs Canada, “Where there is sufficient evidence, law enforcement and public safety agencies will independently take the necessary steps to keep our communities safe”.
“We reiterate that it is a serious criminal offense for anyone to leave Canada to knowingly support a terrorist group and those who engage in these activities will face the full force of Canadian law”, it added.
