Canada considers repatriating 19 nationals from NE Syria
QAMIHSLI, Syria (North Press) – The Canadian federal government is considering repatriating 19 Canadians, including six women and 13 children detained in camps for members of Islamic State Organization (ISIS) in northeastern Syria.
This came after families of the detained Canadians get set to argue in Federal Court that the Liberal government’s long-standing refusal to repatriate their family members amounts to a “breach of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
Global Affairs Canada has started assessments under guiding principles of the framework to determine whether to provide that assistance.
As of last July, 26 Canadians have involved in the action against the government being argued in Federal Court next week.
Nineteen women and children may receive government assistance, while a few Canadian men will remain in northeast Syria’s camps.
Lawrence Greenspon, a lawyer for the applicants, said that the government’s consideration of help for the 19 Canadians is potentially very welcome news.
On November 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 October 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 repatriated two women, as one of whom charged with four terrorism-related offences, including working for ISIS.