Supreme Court: the Netherlands does not have to take women and children from Syria NOW

The 23 women traveled to Syria and / or Iraq a few years ago. Some of them already had children at the time, another part of the 56 children involved is born there. They now live in appalling conditions in Kurdish reception camps.

The court previously ruled that the Netherlands cannot be forced to repatriate the women and children, because it is a political issue. This is now underlined by the Supreme Court.

The current policy is that Dutch travelers are not actively picked up, because it is still an unsafe area. The cabinet does not want to endanger civil servants and also says that national security could be endangered if the women return.

“In view of these interests of the State and the fact that the women have voluntarily traveled to the jihadist conflict zone, the court of appeal was allowed to rule that the Dutch State – despite the compelling interests of the women and the children – does not have to send them to the Netherlands and does not have to make an effort to do so, “said the Supreme Court.

Lawyers are considering further steps

In response, the women’s lawyers announced that they are considering further steps. They may go to the European Court of Human Rights or start new civil proceedings.

“We have always been clear,” said Justice and Security Minister Ferd Grapperhaus earlier. “These women have made the choice to travel to ISIS territory, with or without their minor children, and to join a terrorist organization.”