Two Australian women and four children have successfully escaped a Syrian detention camp and journeyed independently back to the state of Victoria, while demands increase on the government of Australia to bring back its citizens.
Their Route to Freedom
The two women and four children – with identities kept confidential – escaped from the notorious Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, covering over 500 kilometers to enter Lebanon, where they secured official papers from Australia in the capital of Lebanon.
They underwent identity and security screenings in Beirut, before travelling to Australia by a commercial flight last week.
Australians in Syrian Camps
There are about 40 Australians – the majority being minors – held in detention camps in north Syria. They are the family members of deceased or imprisoned IS fighters.
About 34 Australians – 14 women and 20 children – have been held in the Roj camp near the border with Turkey, most since 2019. Some of the children were born in the camp, and know no life outside it. A fewer of Australians are understood to have been held in the Al-Hol detention camp closer to Iraq.
None of those in the camps has, currently, been faced criminal charges or faces a warrant for arrest.
Risks of Independent Escape
Informed sources say the informal and ad hoc escape to Lebanon put the children at risk and that the females were detained in the country when trying to cross the border. These sources argue that official and managed returns are much more secure, allowing for support services to be established for those returning, and for law enforcement agencies in the country to be prepared for the returns.
Camp Conditions
Conditions in the Syrian camps are extremely poor, with extensive malnutrition, illness and outbreaks of violence. A recently published analysis described a “unstable security” situation and a “health emergency”.
“Services within the displaced persons camps are inadequate and overwhelmed and housing insufficient, with flooding and fires making life hazardous. Displaced youth experience serious psychological trauma and mental health problems and mental health care is insufficient. Numerous minors in the camp have no family, making them especially at risk to extremist influence.”
Advocacy groups describe conditions in the camps as “life-threatening”. The Al-Hol facility, holding 30,000 people – more than half of them children – is regarded as notably unstable and dangerous.
Government Repatriation Efforts
Over an extended period, the national government has been under growing demands from families, lawyers, and advocacy groups to repatriate its citizens. The government has undertaken two limited repatriations: in 2019, eight children without parents, including a expectant teen, were repatriated to NSW, and in late 2022, four females and thirteen children were brought back, also to New South Wales.
A federal court challenge to compel the government to repatriate its nationals was unsuccessful, with the judges ruling there was no legal obligation on the administration.
However, the judicial panel did find: “should the government demonstrate the determination to bring the … women and children back to Australia, based on available information, it would be a fairly simple process”.
Global Perspective
The United States, which provides most security funding across northeastern Syria, wants countries like Australia to repatriate their nationals, and is even providing assistance to return foreign citizens.
A congressional report argued: “the only durable solution to the severe humanitarian and security problems in the detention facilities and DP camps is returning people to their home countries. This explains why the United States encourages all countries to bring back their citizens from north-east Syria.”
Government Response
An official representative said the country was becoming “more volatile”.
“The Australian government is not offering help and is not repatriating individuals in Syrian displaced persons camps.
“Should any individuals manage to return independently, our law enforcement bodies are confident in their readiness and will be able to ensure public security.”
The representative said Australian agencies had “been monitoring these individuals for some time”.
“We have confidence in our agencies.
“Our travel advice continues to advise Australians do not travel to Syria due to the dangerous security situation and risk of violence.”
Local Law Enforcement Readiness
A police representative said authorities knew nationals in Syrian facilities may attempt to come back.
“Where required, local police works closely with local and national authorities to facilitate the re-integration of women and children who return to Victoria from Syrian detention centers.”
