Tens of thousands face worsening conditions in al-Hol and Roj camps due to funding cuts and renewed hostilities post-Assad. Human Rights Watch calls for urgent repatriation of detainees, highlighting life-threatening situations and lack of due process. The ongoing conflict exacerbates humanitarian needs, with geopolitical shifts complicating repatriation efforts, especially for children. Without action, instability and violations of human rights will persist.
Tens of thousands of detainees in al-Hol and Roj camps in northeast Syria face worsening conditions due to halted foreign aid. The situation has deteriorated following renewed hostilities after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government, aggravating existing security issues. The US government’s suspension of aid to NGOs is intensifying life-threatening circumstances.
Human Rights Watch urges immediate repatriation of nationals held arbitrarily in these camps. The conditions are dire, and all parties involved should ensure proper security measures and improve living standards. Political solutions must consider ending the unlawful detention of those connected to ISIS.
Over 42,500 residents, primarily women and children related to ISIS suspects, are in the camps administered by Kurdish-led forces. International humanitarian agencies have reported that funding cuts impede crucial services, worsening what is already a severe humanitarian crisis. Detainees, including 18,000 foreigners, face indefinite detention without trial, breaching international law.
Humanitarian efforts have faced disruptions due to US policy changes. On January 24, a stop-work order was issued, leading to significant operational halts for NGOs. Although a waiver allowed limited aid to resume, the recurrent funding freeze poses ongoing risks to camp residents.
Escalated conflicts in the region have led to a rise in tensions and insecurity, with over 100,000 civilians displaced since December 2024. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are preoccupied with external threats, undermining their ability to maintain order within the camps, raising concerns about an ISIS resurgence.
Many camp residents are children, often born into these conditions, with repatriation efforts inadequate to address their plight. Since 2019, only a small number of nations have repatriated citizens, while many, especially in Europe, hesitate to act due to domestic pressures. Detainees often face statelessness after countries strip alleged ISIS members of citizenship.
International laws mandate the repatriation of nationals and the prosecution of wrongdoings without indefinite detention. Research indicates that children can reintegrate successfully when repatriated, yet many governments have avoided repatriation due to security concerns. France has faced international criticism for not taking action to bring back its citizens.
Human Rights Watch emphasizes that neglecting these detainees poses a risk to regional stability and violates human rights principles. Immediate political discourse must include the resolution of their status and adherence to international law. The indefinite detention of individuals without due process is deemed unlawful; authorities should prioritize repatriation and rehabilitation efforts.
The situation in northeast Syria, particularly in the al-Hol and Roj camps, has escalated due to ongoing conflict and the aftermath of the Syrian civil war. These camps currently hold a large population of detainees affiliated with ISIS and their families, facing insufferable living conditions following significant cuts in humanitarian aid and disruption of services. The geopolitical landscape has changed dramatically with the fall of the Assad regime, creating further instability and humanitarian emergencies in the region.
The precarious conditions in Northeast Syria’s camps, particularly al-Hol and Roj, demand urgent international attention. The indefinite detention of individuals without fair trial violates fundamental human rights, creating a volatile humanitarian crisis that threatens stability. Effective repatriation and rehabilitation measures are necessary to address these challenges and secure a safer future for vulnerable populations, primarily women and children. Immediate action must be taken to avert further deterioration of living conditions in these camps.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
