Indonesia has reported that it will resume the repatriation of its citizens affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from Syria’s Al-Hol and Roj camps. About 529 Indonesians are supposed to be residing in the two camps, primarily females and children.
In May 2024, the Indonesian National Counterterrorism Agency presented a proposition to then-president Joko Widodo for the reintegration of Indonesian ex-ISIS associates from Syria.
The repatriation proposition consists of three stages: before the border, at the border and after the border.
The first stage concerns the identity and data verification of Indonesians in Syrian bases. Then, at the border, arriving Indonesians will be evaluated for medical and psychological ailments, radicalisation and threat exposure. After the border, people will be charged for any charges associated with their case and, in the lack of such charges, will be dispatched to a rehabilitation center before going back into society.
Repatriation will focus on children, women and elderly individuals. Though this still departs many former ISIS Indonesians in Syria, it is substantial progress from the 2020 policy, which limited repatriation to orphans under 10 years old in Syria and organised for them to come home on ad hoc grounds.
According to experts, three characteristics make the subject of repatriation more promising now a sympathetic political climate, Indonesia’s willingness to accept the returnees and long-term safety concerns.
Political climates at home and abroad favour the development of a repatriation program. While ex-Indonesian president Joko Widodo was against the procedure, the newly-elected President Prabowo Subianto stated that he endorsed the return of ex-ISIS Indonesians as long as the individuals have their identities confirmed and are examined to ensure they do not carry a substantial security risk. Indonesia has driven considerable improvement in this regard. At least 375 Indonesians have been found and evaluated as in need of repatriation in the two Syrian bases, among them 145 minors.
Indonesia’s strategy for preventing and countering violent extremism has also been boosted. The newly enforced National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (RAN PE) authorises local governments to launch action strategies for preventing extremism, raising awareness and community stability. This is extremely beneficial for long-term monitoring when returnees are dispatched back to their hometowns throughout Indonesia.
The threats linked with repatriating ex-ISIS Indonesians cannot be eradicated. However Indonesia has adequate resources and has learned from understanding to better handle such risks.
