Urgent Plea from the Families of Trapped IS Fighters in Syria to the German Government
Family Members of Imprisoned IS Militants Petition Federal Authority
In an impassioned open letter to the German federal government, relatives of former IS militants incarcerated in Syria entreated for their loved ones' return to Germany. The Southwest Broadcasting Corporation (SWR) first revealed this appeal that was sent to the Federal Chancellery, the Federal Foreign Office, and the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
"These are our sons, brothers, or grandchildren who were swayed by extremism in our own German society. It's about time we acknowledge our part in this, not Syria," the letter declared. The unforgivable living conditions of prisons, under the Kurdish administration in northeastern Syria, are widely reported. These harsh conditions include allegations of torture, extortion, and dreadful medical care.
Though the demise of Assad's regime promises a trial by the new Syrian government, the families insist that the federal government should gather current information concerning the prisoners' condition. In addition, they seek access for the International Committee of the Red Cross and lawyers to these prisons. Furthermore, the letter demands the preparation for the repatriation of the former IS fighters. It should be noted that the identified prisoners are all men, approximately 30 in total, according to SWR's reports. Throughout 2019-2022, the German government has already repatriated dozens of women and children from Germany who had aligned themselves with IS in Syria.
Supporting these families is the counseling center Leben from the association "Green Bird".
As Germany navigates a stricter migration policy, including deportations to countries like Syria, the repatriation of IS fighters remains a contentious issue whose resolution is not yet apparent. The Counter Extremism Project has pointed out the risks associated with lengthy detention for German nationals in Syria—radicalization and security concerns—if repatriation is delayed[1]. Meanwhile, Germany's new interior minister has primarily focused on stricter immigration policies without explicitly addressing the repatriation of IS fighters.
Meanwhile, other countries face similar challenges in handling detained IS members and their families in Syria. While some nations, such as the UK, have been hesitant to repatriate adult nationals, others, like Iraq, are actively involved in their citizens' return[3]. The US is involved in negotiations to hand over detention facilities to the Syrian government, but this development does not directly influence Germany's stance. Overall, while Germany pursues stricter immigration policies, specifics on repatriation plans for IS fighters remain unclear.
[1] https://www.counterextremism.com/threat/islamic-state[3] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/08/uk-to-send-nine-more-families-of-isis-fighters-from-syria-to-uk-court-orders[4] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-germany-agree-deport-group-suspected-asylum-seekers-2021-05-25/[5] https://www.politico.eu/article/inside-the-us-negotiations-with-syria-to-transfer-detainees-from-is-prison-in-al-hol/
"The Families' plea for the repatriation of their loved ones, former IS militants, from Syria to Germany involves a complex intersection of community policy, employment policy, and general-news, as it pertains to the stricter migration policy and the controversial repatriation of IS fighters. The resolution of this issue, in light of potential risks such as radicalization and security concerns, is currently unsettled in the realm of politics, particularly in the context of crime-and-justice."
"As Germany navigates stricter immigration policies and the potential deportation of individuals to Syria, the importance of gathering current information on the conditions of IS prisoners, as demanded by the families, and providing access for organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross and lawyers to these prisons becomes a critical part of the employment policy and crime-and-justice discourse, given the human rights implications and potential impacts on the wider community."
