Progress Made in Rehabilitating Returnees from Syria, Says Homeland Minister Ihusaan

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan briefed on the repatriation of five Maldivian families (21 individuals, 15 children) from Syrian internment camps. The returnees are at the National Reintegration Centre (NRC) for rehabilitation. Minister Ihusaan stressed the innocence of most, especially children, and said the government is committed to protecting their rights. The government has information about 100 more individuals, mostly children, seeking to return from Syrian conflict zones, but challenges with biometric verification exist. The NRC has four blocks and can treat 72 individuals and five families. Syria conflict zones are banned under the Anti-Terror Act, with penalties of 5-6 years for traveling to participate in foreign conflicts. Over 100 Maldivians in Syria, including IS and al-Qaeda affiliates, have expressed desire to return. The Maldives has implemented counter-terrorism measures including the third amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act (2021), the Joint Interagency Operations Centre, and the Fifth Amendment to the Penal Code for hate crimes.

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan briefed on the repatriation of five Maldivian families (21 individuals, 15 children) from Syrian internment camps. The returnees are at the National Reintegration Centre (NRC) for rehabilitation. Minister Ihusaan stressed the innocence of most, especially children, and said the government is committed to protecting their rights. The government has information about 100 more individuals, mostly children, seeking to return from Syrian conflict zones, but challenges with biometric verification exist. The NRC has four blocks and can treat 72 individuals and five families. Syria conflict zones are banned under the Anti-Terror Act, with penalties of 5-6 years for traveling to participate in foreign conflicts. Over 100 Maldivians in Syria, including IS and al-Qaeda affiliates, have expressed desire to return. The Maldives has implemented counter-terrorism measures including the third amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act (2021), the Joint Interagency Operations Centre, and the Fifth Amendment to the Penal Code for hate crimes.

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan briefed on the repatriation of five Maldivian families (21 individuals, 15 children) from Syrian internment camps. The returnees are at the National Reintegration Centre (NRC) for rehabilitation. Minister Ihusaan stressed the innocence of most, especially children, and said the government is committed to protecting their rights. The government has information about 100 more individuals, mostly children, seeking to return from Syrian conflict zones, but challenges with biometric verification exist. The NRC has four blocks and can treat 72 individuals and five families. Syria conflict zones are banned under the Anti-Terror Act, with penalties of 5-6 years for traveling to participate in foreign conflicts. Over 100 Maldivians in Syria, including IS and al-Qaeda affiliates, have expressed desire to return. The Maldives has implemented counter-terrorism measures including the third amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act (2021), the Joint Interagency Operations Centre, and the Fifth Amendment to the Penal Code for hate crimes.

This story involves 1 source and may affect public understanding of returnees / rehabilitation.