Little by little, the fate of some 200 children of French jihadists detained in northeastern Syria by Kurdish forces is emerging in the public debate in France. A column, signed by 110 personalities from all sides and published by The world, call “France to immediately repatriate these French children who, victims of inhuman and degrading treatment, are slowly perishing in the Syrian camps”. The vast majority of these minors are under 6 years old. A conference is also organized by the League of Human Rights (LDH) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) on the subject, Monday June 21 afternoon at the Théâtre du Rond-Point.
The text, which cites all the opinions and recommendations (various NGOs, rapporteurs and commissioners of the United Nations, Unicef, International Red Cross, National Consultative Commission on Human Rights, Defender of Rights, European Parliament, etc.) in favor of repatriation , argues both on a moral, legal and security level: “These children are innocent. They did not choose to go to Syria or to be born in a war zone or in these camps. They are victims that France abandons by making them pay for the choice of their parents. Allowing these children to perish in these camps is unworthy of our rule of law and contrary to our international commitments. ” The deterioration of security conditions in Al-Hol camp, but also on the outskirts of Roj camp, raises fears of escapes and uncontrollable radicalization.
First call from civil society in France
This petition, signed by a number of artists (actors, writers, directors), is also shared by the Islamologist Rachid Benzine, doctors, such as the psychiatrist Boris Cyrulnik, several magistrates, including the former anti-terrorism judge Marc Trévidic, as well as specialists in the fight against terrorism, such as the president of the Center for Terrorism Analysis, Jean-Charles Brisard. This is the first call from civil society in France on a taboo subject both in public opinion and in government.
Indeed, at the time of the fall of Baghouz, the last stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) organization in Syria, on March 23, 2019, a list of 250 names – men, women and children – was established by the French services for repatriation ; 162 of them are even assigned to flights already scheduled in coordination with the US military. Everything is planned on their arrival: judicial process and detention for some, placement in host families for others. But the Elysee suddenly changes its mind, without explanation. Perhaps at the origin of this turnaround, a poll by the Odoxa institute at the end of February 2019, in which 89% of respondents say they are “Worried” repatriation, of which 53% “Very worried”. Two-thirds even oppose the return of the children. A few days later, a jihadist detainee and his companion attempt to assassinate two guards in the prison of Condé-sur-Sarthe (Orne). End of debate.
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