“Save the Children has already made it clear that we are not facilitating the re-entry of Australian citizens from northeastern Syria. We have not, and will not, conduct extraction or repatriation operations,” Save the Children Australia CEO Mat Tinkler said.
“As a humanitarian organisation we abide by principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence and humanity and operate in compliance with Australian and international law. In the case of innocent children stranded in camps in northeastern Syria our role has been twofold: providing them with lifesaving humanitarian relief and advocating for national governments to repatriate their citizens.
“While we have yet to see the details of this proposal, any attempt to criminalise advocacy for Australian children stranded overseas would be extraordinary.
“Instead of investing effort in ways to stop help for innocent Australian children, politicians should be focused on finding ways to protect them.
“Save the Children is a charity dedicated to keeping children safe and giving them the best start in life. We believe all children are innocent and should not be held responsible for their parents' actions.
“No Australian child should be left stranded in dangerous desert camps for seven long years, and both sides of government have previously recognised this by repatriating groups of Australian children and women in the past.
“We call on political parties to dial down the political rhetoric. It is time to show leadership and compassion for Australian children. The race to the bottom at the expense of vulnerable children’s lives must end.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: media.team@savethechildren.org.au