Result of statement: ‘Let IS women in Syria’ | What you say

The retrieval of jihadist Ilham B., suspected of terrorism, from Syria does not only cause great concern and gnashing of teeth among parliamentarians, this action by the government also leads to resentment and anger among most respondents. “She went there herself, never let it back into the country again,” it sounds harsh but resolute. And another critic of the government action says: “She has chosen another country and a different way of life in full consciousness. She has to deal with her choice and take responsibility for it. So stay there and be tried according to the law of the country where she resides.”

There is little understanding of the argument that jihadist Ilham B., who wanted to attend her trial herself, had to be picked up because otherwise she could not be tried here. For years, the position of the Dutch government was that it was too dangerous to pick up Syrian travelers from Kurdish prison camps. The cabinet has made a ‘turn’ by collecting Ilham B. and three children from Syria, the majority says.

Most also fear that this collection campaign has set a precedent and that several Dutch IS women will soon ring the bell with lawyers to follow the same path as Ilham B.. And that would bring in radical elements. “It’s a cancer that takes you in” or “you import terror threat.” There is a lot of fear of attacks on our own soil by radical Islamic elements.

Many also do not understand that the government is going against the decision of the Supreme Court that previously ruled that the Dutch State did not have to make an effort to repatriate female IS travelers and their children. The collection campaign is contrary to this ruling, according to the vast majority of the participants.

The life of Dutch IS women and their children in appalling and degrading situations in Kurdish camps is not an extenuating circumstance for many and does not arouse pity from most respondents.

Most believe that the government should abolish the Dutch passport of IS travelers. Denying access to the Netherlands and Dutch citizenship. Those involved have made the choices themselves, with all the consequences that entails,” says one of them.

The collection of Dutch children from Kurdish camps is also rejected by nine out of ten participants. Director of Defense for Children Mirjam Blaak had called for all children of IS fighters to be brought to the Netherlands ‘because they are entitled to protection by the Dutch government’.

Only a very small group of participants (4 percent) gives IS women and their children a second chance. They are satisfied with the repatriation of Ilham B. and the three children. For example, one of them states: “Rightly, this is mainly about a humane act for the children. If this woman has been involved in crimes then our justice system will do its job.”

–