Lawyers accuse Canada of obstructing nationals’ repatriation from Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A lawyer representing Canadian nationals of Islamic State Organization (ISIS) family members detained in camps in northeastern Syria accused on Friday the Canadian government of hindering the repatriation of its nationals.
This came as the Federal Court heard the final arguments of the families of 23 Canadians held in Syria, saying that the Canadian government does not arrange to bring them back home, which violates Canadian Charter rights.
The Canadian federal government considered in Dec. 2022 repatriating 19 Canadians, including six women and 13 children detained in Syria.
Lawrence Greenspon, a lawyer representing the detainees in northeast Syria’s camps, said, “What is inevitable is that the government will continue to create obstacles … they will continue to delay.”
Greenspon added that Canada will keep creating obstacles and pretexts unless it is ordered to repatriate its nationals.
“They’ll continue to create secret frameworks without notice, and then change their position at the last minute. That’s what’s inevitable,” he added.
On Nov. 16, the Canadian government detailed its legal position for the first time regarding Canadians captured during the fight against ISIS in Syria, in response to a lawsuit by families of the detainees.
On Oct. 26, Canada’s Ministry of Global Affairs repatriated four nationals, two women and two children of ISIS family members, from camps in northeastern Syria.
However, a day later, Canadian police arrested the two repatriated women, including Oumaima Chouay, who was charged with four terrorism-related offenses.
Chouay was granted bail on Friday, but the bail hearing or the reasons for her release are under a publication ban.