These children will murder our children

Reimporting Islamic savages who left of their own accord to establish a caliphate in the ME must not be allowed to return under any circumstances. This is a huge betrayal of the Australian public by the Turncoat gov’t. It is nothing short of cynicism and contempt for the taxpayer to declare that “security (comes)  first, but welfare of IS fighters’ children will be managed”.

Government prepares for 70 children of ISIS fighters to return to Australia – and plans to give them counselling, welfare and new identities

• At least 110 Australians are still in Syria and Iraq fighting for the terrorist group
• More than 70 children are expected to return to Australia this year
• The Turnbull government will be offering them privacy and an education
• Despite welcoming them with welfare, the public’s safety remains a top priority 

By MATILDA RUDD FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

The Australian government has planned for the return of at least 70 children of ISIS fighters and will given them counselling, welfare and citizenship.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said that each child will be case-managed and the states will be working together to ensure they have access to an education.

Despite security being a top priority upon their return, Mr Keenan was quick to say the returning youngsters won’t be left without help or guidance as they transition back into a regular life.

They will be offered anonymity in order to distance themselves from the regime.

By law anyone who is born overseas and has at least one Australian parent is allowed to apply for citizenship – a notion that may be taken up on amongst the 70 children returning.

So far, the government has not revealed whether applications have been made.

A Middle East expert told the Sydney Morning Herald that more people were being detained on the Turkish border as they attempted to flee the Islamic State and that this great ‘exodus’ was a sign that the fighters were crumbling.

It is currently understood that 110 Australians are still in Syria and Iraq fighting for ISIS. At least 65 people have lost their lives fighting alongside the terrorist group.

Levi West, a lecturer in terrorism and national security at Charles Sturt University, has previously opened up to the ABC about the threat these children may pose.

‘At what age do we assess the children to be too much of a risk, given that they may have been exposed to and substantially influenced by – if not committed to – an ideological framework that is going to cause an enormous problem when we bring them back here,’ he said.

But there are others, like UNICEF Australia’s director of policy and advocacy Amy Lamoin, who say we should look at them first and foremost as children before they are considered a threat.

Related:

• • Islamic State: Families of Australian fighters pose security conundrum for authorities – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Islamic State: Families of Australian fighters pose security conundrum for authorities

PHOTO: About 150 Australian foreign fighters are estimated to have gone to Iraq and Syria, some with young families. (Reuters: Ari Jalal)

What to do with any family members of Islamic State (IS) group fighters is shaping up as a major problem for Australian security agencies, as the wives and children of foreign fighters are being found in Iraq and Syria.

Iraq is holding more than 1,000 family members of suspected IS foreign fighters in a desert camp south of Mosul.

Levi West, a lecturer in terrorism and national security at Charles Sturt University, said while there are no “official” figures, there are about 150 Australian foreign fighters left in Iraq and Syria, some with young families.

Mr West said many security issues are now being raised, including just who poses an internal threat.

“At what age do we assess the children to be too much of a risk, given that they may have been exposed to and substantially influenced by — if not committed to — an ideological framework that is going to cause an enormous problem when we bring them back here,” he said.

Mr West said there is also the psychological damage.

“There is an enormous cost associated once they are back because they are going to need substantial treatment for things such as post-traumatic stress disorder and so on,” he said.

The Federal Attorney-General’s Department said it knows there are some Australian foreign fighters who have families in the conflict zones.

“Our priority is to keep the Australian community safe from those who seek to do us harm,” it said.

“It is essential that we identify and mitigate any potential risks. Each child is considered by law enforcement and security agencies on a case-by-case according to the risk they may pose.”

UNICEF Australia’s director of policy and advocacy, Amy Lamoin, said it is a very complex situation for the Government.

“It’s a balance of interests and it’s important that we consider security as a part of this picture, but we also need to consider the rights of children to return,” she said.

“For them to be provided with the right support to recover, resume a regular life, education and be contributing members of their communities.

“If you look at children’s lives, it’s likely they had no choice in the matter.

“They are first and foremost children before they should be considered a threat.”