Arthur Pereira 07:35, July 06, 2022

35 children and 16 women were repatriated from Syria to French soil on Tuesday.

Detained in a camp by the Kurds in north-eastern Syria, they return, after several years of captivity, to France.

The beginning of a long process of judicial but also psychological supervision.

35 children and 16 women were repatriated from Syria to French soil.

Returning to a normal life: this is the challenge faced by these dozens of women and children held captive for several years in Syria.

A challenge that France itself must face.

Initially, the women are placed in police custody in the premises of the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI).

Minors placed with a foster family or with a member of their family

Then, they will probably be indicted before a probable pre-trial detention, until they get their trial.

A device that has existed since 2012 as recalled by a source familiar with the matter.

As for children, none of whom are over 5 years old, no change.

Minors are looked after by social assistance before being placed in a foster family or with a member of their family.

>> Find Europe Matin in replay and podcast here

Psychological and psychiatric follow-up

In addition, they will benefit from psychological and psychiatric follow-up adapted to their young age.

The goal is to allow them to return to a normal life.

This requires simple gestures, as psychiatrist Serge Hefez explains: "Eating three meals a day, getting up in the morning, rediscovering the pleasure of learning. But also playing sports, having friends or even benefiting from a minimum of attention and affection", lists the specialist at the microphone of Europe 1 before adding: "The psychological follow-up will also allow them to work on their story so that they rebuild an identity and a new story. ".

Long-term work that can take several years assures the specialist.

Today, more than 150 children and 65 women are still waiting to be repatriated to French soil.