- At least 110 Australians are still in Syria and Iraq fighting for the terrorist group
- More than 70 children are expected to return to Australia this year
- The Turnbull government will be offering them privacy and an education
- Despite welcoming them with welfare, the public’s safety remains a top priority
The Australian government has planned for the return of at least 70 children of ISIS fighters and will given them counselling, welfare and citizenship.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said that each child will be case-managed and the states will be working together to ensure they have access to an education.
Despite security being a top priority upon their return, Mr Keenan was quick to say the returning youngsters won’t be left without help or guidance as they transition back into a regular life.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said that each child will be case-managed and the states will be working together to ensure they have access to an education
They will be offered anonymity in order to distance themselves from the regime.
By law anyone who is born overseas and has at least one Australian parent is allowed to apply for citizenship – a notion that may be taken up on amongst the 70 children returning.
Thus far the government has not revealed whether applications have been made.
A Middle East expert told the Sydney Morning Herald that more people were being detained on the Turkish border as they attempted to flee the Islamic State and that this great ‘exodus’ was a sign that the fighters were crumbling.
A Middle East expert told the Sydney Morning Herald that more people were being detained on the Turkish border as they attempted to flee the Islamic State and that this great ‘exodus’ was a sign that the fighters were crumbling
It is currently understood that 110 Australians are still in Syria and Iraq fighting for IS. At least 65 people have lost their lives fighting alongside the terrorist group
It is currently understood that 110 Australians are still in Syria and Iraq fighting for ISIS. At least 65 people have lost their lives fighting alongside the terrorist group.
Levi West, a lecturer in terrorism and national security at Charles Sturt University, has previously opened up to the ABC about the threat these children may pose.
‘At what age do we assess the children to be too much of a risk, given that they may have been exposed to and substantially influenced by – if not committed to – an ideological framework that is going to cause an enormous problem when we bring them back here,’ he said.
But there are others, like UNICEF Australia’s director of policy and advocacy Amy Lamoin, who say we should look at them first and foremost as children before they are considered a threat.