In the media
July 05, 2017
On 3 July 2017, ICCT Research Fellow Dr. Bibi van Ginkel joined the Dutch Radio talk-show NOS Het Oog, discussing general dilemmas of dealing with foreign fighters wanting to return to their countries of origin. Now that so-called ‘Islamic State’ (IS) is on the brink of losing Raqqa and Mosul, governments in Europe and the United States, for example, face the dilemma of what to do with returnees. If detained, these returnees risk radicalising other prisoners, says Dr. van Ginkel. Regarding those returnees who surrender, the question arises about how they ought to be treated. An excessive policy response risks further fueling IS' propaganda machine and prolonging the ongoing fighting. Dr. van Ginkel concludes with saying that currently there are not enough mechanisms set in place to try foreign fighters in civil procedures before they return to their country of origin. While entities like the UN are discussing expanding such capabilities to military entities, for example, the present situation leaves much to be desired.
Listen to the broadcast (in Dutch - 48:40)
