European Parliament calls for the immediate return of the children of Jihadist fighters

Today, the European Parliament voted in favour of the resolution on the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, calling on EU Member States to repatriate the children of European jihadist fighters, and on the European Union to implement coordinated action. A few hundred European children are still being held in camps in northeastern Syria under extremely worrying humanitarian conditions. NGOs are warning about the deplorable living conditions in these camps, the health and development risks endured by children - the majority of whom are under five years old.

Saskia Bricmont, Green/EFA MEP in charge of the dossier:

"By calling for the repatriation of children and a coordinated European response, the European Parliament is taking responsibility and responding to Member States' inaction. While calls to repatriate those children and their families, from both security and humanitarian sectors, are increasing, it seems European states refuse to listen and in some cases are even blocking repatriation' operations organized by NGOs.

"On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the rights of the child, it is crucial to save these children and respect rights and principles enshrined in the Convention. The recent Turkish offensive has only worsened the situation for children on the ground and the logistical window of opportunity for repatriation is closing."