Nizam Mohammed, a former speaker of the House and member of the repatriation committee, stated that it is too soon to predict the future of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago who are being detained in repatriation camps in Syria following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad on December 8. In Russia, Asad has applied for asylum.
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the head of Syria’s largest rebel group, is in a position to shape the destiny of his nation. The former leader of al-Qaeda severed his connections with the organization years ago and claims to support religious tolerance and pluralism.
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The United States and the United Nations consider his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, to be a terrorist organization.
Mohammed, Patrick Edwards, a former diplomat, and Kewsi Atiba are members of a three-member repatriation committee that the government established. It collaborates with Task Force Nightingale, an interministerial body established in 2018.
Mohammed told Newsday over the phone on December 11 that the Middle East’s uncertainty made the issue much more complicated.
“Before we can ascertain the current situation, we have to wait to see and hope that those who are controlling the camp can be accessed in order for us to relate with the people who are in detention. It is too early to say.”
He said that because the repatriation committee has not been granted the necessary authorization to proceed, its work has come to a standstill.
“We of the repatriation committee were told it was under the control of the National Security Ministry, which has given all the authority to the committee which preceded the establishment of our committee, which is Task Force Nightingale. Since they have taken over, our committee has been virtually sidelined.”
He continued, “We can’t continue with the plans and strategies we had put together because the Task Force Nightingale, headed by someone in the ministry, says they’re not doing anything until legislation is passed. That position has brought the entire process to a standstill. We were hoping we would give priority to at least 80 people who are in refugee camps in north-east Syria but our authority to do so has been taken away from us and given to the original committee.”
According to Mohammed, they would have like to see steps made in recent months to get the identified individuals—particularly the women and children—ready for flight and evacuation.
Dinesh Rambally, the MP for Chaguanas West, has urged the government to take all necessary steps to repatriate any T&T children who are being held in Syrian camps.
In a statement on December 10, Rambally voiced his worry about the government’s sluggish attempts to repatriate T&T children from Syria, claiming that Assad’s overthrow had made matters more difficult.
“This development adds an alarming layer of instability to an already dire humanitarian crisis,” Rambally noted. “I have repeatedly called for action, stressing the need to separate the plight of innocent children from that of adults accused of crimes.”
He claimed that despite the establishment of a special repatriation committee, the administration had repeatedly made empty promises with little to no real progress.
He remembered that the Prime Minister had stated in his October 10 budget speech that legislation addressing the humanitarian problem of children in war areas will be introduced in Parliament.
“Yesterday (December 9) the Parliament effectively adjourned until the new year (2025).”
Rambally reiterated: “However, the situation now demands urgency, especially as the political dynamics in Syria shift unpredictably.”
He called on the administration to move quickly by enlisting the help of foreign organizations, “including UNICEF and the Red Cross, and establishing secure channels to expedite the safe return of these children.”
“Their welfare cannot be left in limbo. I implore the government to prioritize this issue before further complications arise, risking the lives and futures of these vulnerable young citizens.”
According to him, the nation had, “a moral and constitutional duty to protect our children, no matter where they are. Let us fulfill it without further delay.”
In front of the House of Representatives on January 26, Dr. Rowley stated, “The Government of T&T is committed to ensuring that the return of qualified persons is organized in a way that balances the needs of those returning with the national-security considerations that’s in the best interest of T&T.”
Rowley said this was “a highly sensitive and complex matter.”
He reminded MPs that the government decided last March to attempt repatriating T&T people who were linked with ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) from different parts of Syria and Iraq.
According to Rowley, this included forming the repatriation committee, which consists of three members, in collaboration with Task Force Nightingale. He said that in order to repatriate T&T people in Syria and Iraq, this team serves as a vital conduit between the government and civil society.
He went on to say that the National Security Ministry is still investigating how to properly reintegrate these foreigners into society while taking national security concerns into account.
He backed National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds’ remarks in the House on April 19 on introducing legislation to address the repatriation of T&T people from Iraqi and Syrian crisis areas. According to Hinds, the government has a Returnees Bill that would oversee the T&T nationals’ safe return in accordance with best practices from throughout the world.
Rowley was unable to provide a precise date for the bill’s discussion. When it was ready, he added, it would be on the legislative agenda and being prepared to be introduced before Parliament.
It was required upon Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, to prepare this legislation.
Rowley stated, “This bill is in a very advanced stage of development.”
Following the toppling of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, CHAGUANAS West MP Dinesh Rambally has urged the government to take all necessary steps to repatriate any Trinidad and Tobago children held in camps in Syria.
In Russia, Asad has applied for asylum.
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the head of Syria’s largest rebel group, is able to shape the destiny of his nation. The former leader of al-Qaeda severed his connections with the organization years ago and claims to support religious tolerance and pluralism.
The US and the UN both classify his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, as a terrorist organization.
Rambally voiced concerns in a statement on December 10 regarding the government’s sluggish repatriation of T&T children from Syria.
He noted that the removal of Assad has made such efforts much more difficult.
Rambally stated, “This development adds an alarming layer of instability to an already dire humanitarian crisis.” Rambally added, “I have repeatedly called for action, stressing the need to separate the plight of innocent children from that of adults accused of crimes.”
He claimed that despite the establishment of a special repatriation committee, the administration had repeatedly made empty promises with little to no real progress.
He remembered that the Prime Minister had stated in his October 10 budget speech that legislation addressing the humanitarian problem of children in war areas will be introduced in Parliament.
“Yesterday (December 9) the Parliament effectively adjourned until the new year (2025).”
Rambally noted: “However, the situation now demands urgency, especially as the political dynamics in Syria shift unpredictably.”
He called on the administration to move quickly by enlisting the help of foreign organizations, “including UNICEF and the Red Cross, and establishing secure channels to expedite the safe return of these children.
“Their welfare cannot be left in limbo. I implore the government to prioritize this issue before further complications arise, risking the lives and futures of these vulnerable young citizens.”
According to him, the nation had “a moral and constitutional duty to protect our children, no matter where they are. Let us fulfill it without further delay.”
In the House of Representatives on January 26, Dr. Rowley stated, “The government of Trinidad and Tobago is committed to ensuring that the return of qualified persons is organized in a way that balances the needs of those returning with the national-security considerations that’s in the best interest of T&T.”
According to Rowley, this was “a highly sensitive and complex matter.”
He reminded MPs that the government decided last March to attempt repatriating T&T people who were linked with ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) from different parts of Syria and Iraq.
According to Rowley, this entailed forming a three-person repatriation group in conjunction with the 2018-formed interministerial Task Force Nightingale.
Former House Speaker Nizam Mohammed, former diplomat Patrick Edwards, and Kewsi Atiba make up the team. According to Rowley, this team serves as a crucial conduit between the government and civic society to repatriate T&T citizens who are in Syria and Iraq.
The National Security Ministry is still investigating how to effectively reintegrate these expatriates into society while juggling national security concerns, he continued.
He backed National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds’ remarks in the House on April 19 on introducing legislation to address the repatriation of T&T people from Iraqi and Syrian crisis areas.
Rowley was unable to provide a precise date for the bill’s discussion. When it was ready, he added, it would be on the legislative agenda and being prepared to be introduced before Parliament.
It was required of Attorney General Reginald Armour to prepare this legislation.
Rowley stated, “This bill is in a very advanced stage of development.”
Hinds could not be reached for comment.
