No 'legal barrier' blocking ISIS-linked families returning to Australia, law expert says
An international law expert says there is no legal barrier under Australian law preventing a group of 13 Australian women and children with ties to former Islamic State fighters from returning to Australia. The group, currently in Damascus after leaving a Syrian refugee camp, remains in limbo after Syrian authorities claimed the Australian government refused to receive them. While the Australian government denies involvement in blocking their return, its strong public statements have reportedly influenced Syrian and Kurdish officials' actions.
- ▪Australian National University law expert Don Rothwell stated there is no legal prohibition under Australian law preventing the group from returning.
- ▪The group of four women and nine children, all Australian citizens, left the Al Roj refugee camp in Syria and are now in Damascus awaiting further coordination.
- ▪Syria's Information Ministry claimed the Australian government refused to receive the group, a claim the Australian government denies.
- ▪Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said anyone who broke the law would face the full force of the law upon return to Australia.
- ▪Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the Australian government is not involved in or supporting the repatriation of the group.
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No 'legal barrier' blocking ISIS-linked families returning to Australia, law expert saysBy correspondent Bridget Rollason in JerusalemTopic:Refugees21m ago21 minutes agoFri 1 May 2026 at 1:18amLoading...In short:There is nothing legally stopping a group of ISIS-linked families in Syria from travelling back to Australia, an international law expert has said.Earlier this week, the Syrian government told media the group was prevented from reaching Damascus airport because "the Australian government had refused to receive them".What's next?Organisations such as Save the Children Australia are calling for the children to be returned safely.abc.net.au/news/australia-has-no-legal-way-to-block-isis-brides-law-expert-says/106629468Link copiedShareShare articleA week since a group of 13 Australian…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).