Australia Legally Bound to Issue Passports to ISIS Brides and Children, Minister Declares
Australia has a clear obligation to provide passports to women and children attempting to return home from Islamic State camps in Syria, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. This statement comes as 34 Australian citizens, including so-called ISIS brides and their offspring, remain trapped in Syrian camps after a failed escape mission was halted by the Syrian military, even though new passports have been issued by the Australian government.
Minister Defends Passport Decision Amid Criticism
At a citizenship ceremony in Sydney's Bankstown, where he welcomed 150 new citizens, Burke defended the controversial decision to issue passports. He emphasized that the move is not an act of assistance but a requirement under international law. "If anyone's an Australian citizen, then by law there's an obligation to issue them with a passport," Burke told 7NEWS. However, he condemned the original choices made by the women, stating, "It's an appalling decision that they made. It's created horrific consequences for their children. They should not have made that decision."
Security Risks and Exclusion Orders
One of the brides has been subjected to a temporary exclusion order, barring her from returning to Australia due to being deemed a significant security risk. The other women and children are free to return on their own if they can manage to leave the camps, but they may face criminal charges upon arrival in Australia. This situation highlights the complex balance between legal obligations and national security concerns.
Political Controversy and Allegations
The minister is also confronting allegations that a close supporter, refugee advocate Dr. Jamal Rifi, is actively assisting the ISIS brides in their efforts to return to Australia. Opposition Senator Bridget McKenzie raised questions about this connection, suggesting, "Why is Tony Burke's political fundraiser actually on the ground helping this cohort make their way to Australia? Something stinks." Burke responded forcefully, accusing McKenzie of fabrication and clarifying that he has not communicated with Rifi, adding, "I don't know whether he's in Australia or whether he's overseas."
Historical Context and Recent Developments
Between 2013 and 2017, a total of 40 Australian ISIS fighters, wives, and children returned to Australia independently. In 2019, the Morrison government facilitated the return of seven ISIS orphans and a pregnant 16-year-old. More recently, in 2022, the Albanese government brought back four women and 13 children from the camps. Despite these efforts, 34 Australian citizens remain stranded in Syrian camps, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian and legal challenges.
Australian ISIS Fighters Transferred to Iraq
In a related development, 7NEWS has uncovered that 13 Australian-born ISIS fighters are among hundreds being transferred out of Syrian prisons and across the border into Iraq. These individuals will be held and interrogated in heavily fortified detention facilities operated by US-led forces. An Iraqi government document confirms the presence of these 13 Australian ISIS terrorists among those transferred. Burke commented on their status, noting, "Those fighters were locked up and are still locked up. And likely to remain locked up for a long time." The fighters were observed being corralled in Syria before being moved in a covert US operation, indicating the continued global efforts to manage the aftermath of the Islamic State conflict.
