Norwegian authorities help bring back citizens from Syria

The living conditions in the Syrian camps are appalling and inhumane. These Norwegian children have been living for a long time in conditions that no child should have to experience. In the camps, there is also a risk that children may be radicalised and later recruited to terrorist groups. In Norway, these children can receive the follow-up they need, ‘ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.

The two women have themselves asked for help to return to Norway with their children. The women know that they will be arrested when they arrive in Norway.

‘Bringing these women back to Norway has an important security dimension. It will be up to the police and the courts to determine whether these women have committed any criminal offences, and if so, what the appropriate penalty should be,’ Ms Huitfeldt said.

The US, the local authorities and the UN Secretary-General have all asked countries to repatriate their citizens from these camps – citing the need to enhance stability in the region, the fact that these people can then be prosecuted, and humanitarian grounds.

The reason why the Norwegian authorities have not brought these children to Norway earlier is that it has not been possible to bring the children to Norway on their own without the consent of the parents. Now the mothers have requested assistance to return to Norway, which has made it possible to bring both the mothers and the children from Syria to Norway together.

‘I ask everyone to respect the privacy of these children. It is vital that their identity is not revealed. Children should not be punished for the actions of their parents. Now what these children need most is a calm and stable environment,’ Ms Huitfeldt said