Australia has barred a citizen from returning from a Syrian camp on security advice, as PM Albanese refuses to assist repatriation efforts.
SYDNEY: Australia has barred one of its citizens from returning home from a Syrian detention camp due to security concerns.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the individual was issued a temporary exclusion order based on advice from security agencies.
The person is among a group of 34 Australian women and children at the Roj camp, who are related to suspected members of the Islamic State group.
Burke stated that security agencies have not advised that other members of the cohort currently meet the legal thresholds for similar exclusion orders.
The minister can issue such orders for up to two years to prevent terrorist activities or politically motivated violence.
The Australians were released from the camp but failed to reach Damascus on their way home, according to a Kurdish official.
The official cited “poor coordination” with Syrian authorities as the reason they were turned back to the detention camp.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese underscored his government’s refusal to assist in repatriating the women and children.
“You make your bed, you lie in it,” he said, accusing the group of aligning with a destructive ideology.
“We are doing nothing to repatriate or to assist these people,” he told reporters.
Albanese acknowledged it was unfortunate that children were caught up in the situation due to their parents’ decisions.
The humanitarian group Save the Children Australia had filed a lawsuit in 2023 on behalf of 11 women and 20 children seeking repatriation.
The Federal Court ruled against the organisation, stating the Australian government did not control their detention in Syria.
