ISIS Brides and Children Fleeing Syria Detention Camp in Desperate Bid to Return to Australia – But Will They Be Allowed Back?
- Four Australian ISIS brides and nine children are making a second attempt to return to Australia after fleeing a detention camp in Syria.
- The group is expected to leave Damascus in the coming days, but the government has vowed to apply the “full force” of the law if they make it back to Australia’s borders.
- Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek has defended the government’s stance, saying those who have broken the law overseas will face the consequences.
- One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce is calling for the law to be changed to prevent the group’s return, labelling them “complicit in the horrific crimes” committed by Islamic State.
In a shocking development, four Australian ISIS brides and nine children are making a desperate bid to return to Australia after fleeing a detention camp in Syria.
The group, all Australian citizens, is expected to leave Damascus in the coming days, but their fate remains uncertain as the government vows to take a hardline stance against those who have broken the law overseas.
The cohort’s second attempt to return to Australia comes after their initial bid in February was thwarted.
According to Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek, the government is not assisting the group’s return and will apply the “full force” of the law if they make it back to Australia’s borders.
“If people have broken the law overseas, they’ll face the full force of Australian law,” Plibersek told Sunrise host Nat Barr on Monday morning.
Plibersek emphasized that the government is bound by existing law, which requires Australian citizens who request passports to receive them. However, she made it clear that this is as far as the government’s loyalty will extend if the law has been broken.
“There’s nothing to stop us if these people manage to make it back; they can be picked up at the airport and face the full force of the Australian law,” she said.
The government has already issued one temporary exclusion order on the basis of advice from security agencies, and Plibersek warned that further actions may be taken if the group returns to Australia.
“We’ve got our security and intelligence agencies obviously gathering information on this cohort and the broader cohort to make sure that we know as much about them as we possibly can,” she said.
Strong condemnation of the group’s actions has come from across the political spectrum, with One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce labelling the women “complicit in the horrific crimes” committed by Islamic State.
“These are women, as they call themselves, wives, who were a party to some of the most horrendous crimes in the history of the world,” Joyce said.
“They chose to go there. They were not taken there in handcuffs.”
Joyce is calling for the law to be changed to prevent the group’s return, arguing that if legislation isn’t strong enough to keep them out, Parliament should strengthen it immediately.
“If we got a temporary exclusion on one, we should be doing everything to get a temporary exclusion on the lot,” he said.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The potential return of these ISIS brides and children raises serious concerns about national security and the safety of the Australian community. The government’s stance on the issue is clear, but the question remains as to whether the current laws are sufficient to prevent the group’s return.
Security analysts say that the government’s decision to issue a temporary exclusion order is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the broader issue of radicalization and extremism in Australia.
“The government needs to take a holistic approach to tackling extremism, including providing support for communities at risk and investing in counter-radicalization programs,” said one analyst.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the return of these individuals could pose a significant threat to public safety, particularly if they are not properly rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.
“The government needs to ensure that these individuals are thoroughly vetted and that measures are in place to prevent them from posing a risk to the community,” said one insider.
Industry observers believe that the government’s handling of the situation will have significant implications for Australia’s international relationships, particularly with countries in the Middle East. “The government needs to balance its commitment to national security with its obligations under international law,” said one observer.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the potential return of these ISIS brides and children is a complex and sensitive issue that requires a thoughtful and nuanced approach.
The government must carefully consider the implications of its actions and ensure that the safety and security of the Australian community are paramount.
