Children's Rights

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A New Chance in Life

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Yunus, 8 years old, France

Yunus (in French)

I play football, go to music lessons, and I’m going to be a veterinarian when I grow up.

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Yunus was among thousands of children unlawfully detained in camps in northeast Syria for Islamic State (ISIS) suspects and their family members.

He’s been living with his grandparents in France for the past two and a half years.

Yunus’s grandmother (in French)

My grandson has settled in very well at school, he has friends, he is good at math and very curious. Interested in all subjects.

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Yunus was held in al-Hol, the main detention camp. His mother was killed in an airstrike in 2018 and his father is imprisoned in northeast Syria.

Al-Hol and Roj camps unlawfully detain nearly 40,000 foreign women and children from around 60 countries.

Eighty percent of the children are under age 12. They live in life-threatening conditions. Hundreds of children have died from preventable diseases, accidents, and camp violence, including attacks by ISIS supporters.

All governments with nationals detained in northeast Syria should urgently ensure they can return home, giving priority to children and their mothers.

Human Rights Watch contacted family members, caregivers, social workers and psychologists for repatriated children in seven countries. Respondents said that most of the children are doing well.

They are enjoying school and making new friends. Some are at the top of their class.

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Ibrahim, 9 years old, Kazakhstan

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Ibrahim returned to Kazakhstan with his mother in 2019.

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He enjoys dancing and scootering.  He is joyful, open and self-confident.

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Some repatriated children live with their grandparents or other extended family members. Despite the challenges they have experienced, our research found that with proper support, now many can fully enjoy their childhood.

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Sarah, 6 years old, Sweden

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Sarah and her siblings returned to Sweden after their parents were killed in Syria.  Now they live with foster families, but visit their grandfather regularly. 

Patricio Galvez

Grandfather of seven repatriated children

My 6-year-old granddaughter loves to use her hands and her imagination for artistic creativity. The recovery of the children is fully possible. My grandchildren are the proof of that. They have had an amazing recovery.

The key to this is a quick and safe repatriation to their countries. All children should have the opportunity to get a new chance in life.