Canada overturns ruling to repatriate 4 ISIS militants in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Canadian Federal Court of Appeal canceled on Wednesday a high-profile ruling, that calling the government to bring home four Canadian men detained in prisons for Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northeast Syria.
In January, Federal Court Judge Henry Brown misinterpreted the Charter of Rights and Freedoms when he directed officials to secure the release of men detained in ISIS prisons in northeast Syria.
However, three appeal court judges argued that the Federal Court made errors in its ruling, and they disagreed with Brown’s decision and overturned it, saying that such a step is “risky” and “dangerous” and help them to “escape the consequences of their actions.”
They said the court misinterpreted the Charter of Rights and Freedoms when it directed officials to “take extraordinary measures” to secure the release of the men.
Family members of the men, as well as several women and children, detained in Syria argued the Federal and asked it to arrange for their return to Canada, saying that refusing to do so violates the Canadian Charter.
Roj and al-Hawl camps, run by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), house around 57,300 ISIS-linked individuals, including nearly 10,000 foreigners.
Canada has so far only repatriated six women and 13 children from northeastern Syria’s camps.