Australia’s government on Tuesday confirmed it will not assist or repatriate Australians detained in Syria for links to Islamic State (ISIS). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those returning without authorization could face prosecution under Australian law. The decision affects dozens of citizens currently held in camps such as Roj and al-Hol.
Thirty-four Australians recently released from Roj camp in northern Syria were returned due to “technical reasons,” sources told Reuters. The group, which includes women and children, is expected to travel to Damascus before possible return, despite objections from the government and opposition lawmakers. Albanese emphasized a firm stance: “We won’t be providing assistance or repatriation.”
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Australian authorities said returning citizens will face the full force of the law if they have committed crimes. Membership in ISIS is punishable by up to 25 years in prison, and dual nationals may have citizenship revoked. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s office said security agencies continue to monitor the situation closely.
The issue has stirred political debate in Australia, with the anti-immigration One Nation party gaining popularity amid rising concerns over extremist returnees. Senator Sarah Henderson of the Liberal Party said citizens with ISIS sympathies should not be allowed back. The government faces a legal and ethical balancing act between national security and citizens’ rights under international law.
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Roj camp currently houses more than 2,000 people from 40 nationalities, mostly women and children, with thousands linked to ISIS since the group lost its final Syrian stronghold in 2019. Kurdish authorities, who manage the camp, have coordinated past releases with foreign governments, including the controversial case of British-born Shamima Begum, whose citizenship was revoked in 2019.