INTERVIEW
Ten young children of jihadists who were in camps in northeastern Syria were repatriated to France overnight Sunday to Monday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentions "orphans or humanitarian cases", without specifying the conditions of their repatriation or the place of arrival. According to Marie Dosé, guest of Europe 1 this Monday, they are still close to 250 to live in "unworthy" conditions. Since the Islamic State group collapsed in March 2019, France has brought back 28 children from Syria. The Minister of Justice, Nicole Belloubet, reacts on Europe 1.
"It must be made clear that when we repatriate these children we do so on a case-by-case basis," explains the Keeper of the Seals. "Furthermore, we consider that these orphaned and isolated minors, when conditions allow, can be repatriated. They are children, they did not choose to go to these battlefields, they did not the choice to accompany the operations of the jihadists for a while. It seems to me that there is a humanitarian goal that can be respected. "
Vulnerable children
Repatriations by France are only carried out in cases where the children are orphans, or subject to the agreement of the parents. "In all these cases, we have to be able to pick up these children from the places where they are located," continues Nicole Belloubet. "These are vulnerable children that we need to watch out for."
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Of this repatriation of ten children, there are three who are orphans, the others come from two different siblings, said the Minister of Justice. Minors are between 3 and 9 years old.