Trinidadian Children Languish in Iraqi Prison: HRW Urges Repatriation
Human Rights Watch is calling on the government of Trinidad and Tobago to bring back four women and their seven children, aged 7-15, from Iraq.
The women have been detained for nearly seven years for alleged links to Daesh.
One mother, currently in Rusafa prison, shared in a voice recording that her two sons, aged 13 and 15, were taken away from her due to their size.
They are now being held in a cell with other boys.
Approximately 100 youths and their mothers are being detained in Rusafa prison in Iraq.
Many of the adults are foreign nationals serving sentences for terrorism-related crimes.
Three Trinidadian women are among the detainees, serving sentences of 20 years or more.
A fourth Trinidadian woman has completed her sentence but cannot leave with her two children without government assistance.
The mothers expressed concern that their children are growing up without an education while they are in prison.
Trinidad and Tobago citizens, including four women and their children, have been stranded in Iraq and Syria for over five years, despite the government's promise to bring them home.
The children, who have not committed any crimes, are currently in Iraqi prisons instead of attending school in Trinidad and Tobago.
The women are willing to stay in Iraq if their children are repatriated, but have not received any updates from the Trinidadian government, despite communicating with the repatriation committee established in March 2023.
HRW is urging Trinidadian authorities to repatriate children of Iraqi and Trinidadian mothers detained in Trinidad and Tobago, as they have been denied access to education, healthcare, and nutritious food.
The mothers are serving sentences in prison.
HRW suggests considering the children's best interests and family unity, and allowing regular visits.
The Trinidadian prime minister has previously pledged to bring home Trinidadians detained in Iraq and Syria, and HRW urges him to act swiftly.