European Youth Face Uncertain Futures in Syrian Detention Camps

Young people of European origin are facing dire circumstances in detention facilities across northeast Syria. Many, like Hamza Ben Abd, have spent years behind bars with little hope of repatriation. Now aged 22, Ben Abd has been in custody since he was just 15, after leaving territory controlled by the Islamic State. He has expressed feelings of despair and abandonment, stating, “I don’t know when I’m going to go out of this nightmare.”

Ben Abd, who was taken to Islamic State territory with his siblings by their mother, recalls the traumatic experiences that have shaped his life. He lost contact with the outside world, including the French embassy, and has endured significant hardships. “I love her, I miss her… but I’m paying the price for the huge mistake she made,” he said, reflecting on his mother’s fate.

As of now, thousands of individuals accused of links to the Islamic State remain imprisoned in facilities like Panorama prison. This location has drawn comparisons to Guantánamo Bay, largely due to the absence of legal processes and the harsh conditions reported by former detainees and human rights organizations. The situation is particularly concerning for children who were brought to Syria by their parents, as they find themselves in what Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, former United Nations special rapporteur on human rights, describes as a “black legal hole.”

Ní Aoláin has voiced her concerns over the indefinite detention of minors, emphasizing that states have a responsibility to repatriate their citizens. “Children remain punished for the sins of their parents,” she stated. During a visit to the region, she highlighted the urgent need for countries to take action regarding their nationals held in detention facilities.

The Orkesh Centre, located near Qamishli, serves as a holding facility for around 145 boys and young men, some of whom were forcibly separated from their families. Local authorities claim that these separations are for the protection of the minors, but the practice has faced substantial criticism. Welat Salah, a staff member at the centre, pointed out that the biggest challenge arises when these individuals turn 18, as there is no clear plan for their future. “The answer is to repatriate them,” he said, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to their rehabilitation.

Ben Abd has since been transferred to Iraq, where his situation has reportedly worsened. His lawyer expresses fears that he is being held indefinitely under dire conditions that threaten his life. Originally from Toulouse, Ben Abd has shared that he was involved in combat as a child fighter, known as one of the “cubs of the caliphate.” He has sustained serious injuries from a mine explosion and has been unable to receive necessary medical treatment.

Despite his circumstances, Ben Abd remains hopeful for a return to France. “I’d rather be in prison in France than here,” he stated. His family, including a sister who was repatriated in 2019, is still in France, fueling his desire to escape his current reality.

The situation of European nationals in northeast Syria has drawn scrutiny from human rights advocates, who argue that many are victims rather than perpetrators. A staff member from the non-governmental organization Purity has pointed out that the education some of these young men received in the past was deeply troubling. “They were taught how to fight, how to kill, how to behead,” he noted, raising concerns about their potential radicalization if left without a future.

In April, a French diplomatic source commented on the situation, noting that France had conducted “several complex repatriation operations” since 2019. However, the source did not elaborate on the repatriation policies for children who have reached adulthood, which remains a significant concern for advocates working to secure their return.

In a recent development, a French court ordered the government to reassess the status of Ben Abd and two other young men within two months. Lawyer Marie Dose, who has been advocating for their repatriation, criticized France for neglecting the situation. “The French authorities are fully aware of the catastrophic conditions they are in,” she stated. Dose has also pointed out that a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights must apply to young adults as well.

Despite the grave circumstances, there is still a glimmer of hope. Ben Abd continues to practice French and expresses his longing for a normal life. “Daesh have taken everything from me. Now France is holding me responsible,” he lamented, reflecting the complexity of his situation. The call for action grows more urgent as advocates push for the repatriation of young people like Ben Abd, who remain trapped in a cycle of suffering and uncertainty.