8 hours ago
2
Senior Political Reporter
Muslim families’ updated plan to repatriate their relatives from Middle East refugee camps outlines measures to assess whether returnees pose security risks, address mental health concerns, and requires a contract obligating compliance with Trinidad and Tobago’s security protocols, with penalties for violations including imprisonment.
Attorney Nafeesa Mohammed shared the plan yesterday following comments last Thursday by Land and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein, deputy chairman of the UNC Government’s repatriation team, on the issue.
Locally based families of nationals in the camps have criticised the Government’s slow progress in fulfilling its election campaign pledge to repatriate the group, which primarily comprises children and 25 women. The nationals have been detained in camps since the 2018 defeat of the ISIS terrorist group. Between 2012 and 2015, around 130 T&T nationals travelled overseas to join ISIS. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has urged countries to repatriate their citizens to prevent radicalisation in the camps.
Government sources said one key issue is verifying that those seeking repatriation are indeed T&T nationals. Mohammed, who has spearheaded efforts to return the group, said: “The repatriation plan we had in 2020 has been updated. We need to collaborate to end our nationals’ hardships and suffering.”
The plan adopts a multidisciplinary approach, which families say is essential for repatriation. It balances security concerns with humanitarian considerations and ensures psycho-social and other relevant assessments are conducted so that appropriate interventions can be implemented in the best interests of returnees. The plan provides detailed guidance on assessing and managing mental health issues.
It notes strong T&T-US military cooperation, and that the US Embassy in T&T has offered support in facilitating repatriation. T&T’s security apparatus, including investigative agencies, will determine risk levels for all individuals, including children. Under the Children’s Authority Act, Chapter 12:01, children in conflict with civil law can be managed with a focus on rehabilitation. “National Security, based on evidence, can determine the mothers’ risk level on a case-by-case basis,” the plan states.
The plan recommends a civil contract be developed with the government, community, and affected persons, with terms to be applied to adult women returnees. The contract is mutually binding, obligating returnees to T&T’s security, and provides for fines or imprisonment for breaches. Relatives would also sign a cooperation agreement to support rehabilitation measures.
Assessing and managing
mental health
The plan emphasises trauma-informed care and cognitive assessments to evaluate the effects of trauma on memory, concentration, processing speed, language, and reasoning. Exposure to traumatic events will be considered to prevent misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis of learning disorders. These assessments will also inform educational placements and other support services.
Recent training emphasised Psychological First Aid, an evidence-based method to support children, adolescents, adults, and families following crises. The approach focuses on providing comfort, safety, hope, and connection, while linking returnees to financial, practical, mental health, and educational resources.
Returnees will face the challenges of adapting to a new environment, coping with traumatic experiences, and integrating socially, which may result in anxiety, depression, grief, or PTSD. Lack of social integration can exacerbate mental health disorders in the long term. Interventions will focus on:
• Promoting social integration
• Reducing barriers to accessing mental health care
• Facilitating engagement with services
• Treating those exhibiting mental health symptoms
A multidisciplinary approach will deliver these services, with support from social workers, employment agencies, community organisations, healthcare professionals, and specialists in trauma-informed care, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
The plan stresses the importance of community engagement to foster understanding of returnees’ experiences, address concerns, and reduce biases. When communities feel connected, they are more likely to support rehabilitation and reintegration.
The plan highlights that Muslim community members have undergone training programmes organised by the US Embassy, with involvement from National Security, Team Nightingale, the International Affairs Unit, the Attorney General’s Ministry, and the Children’s Authority. School psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and medical professionals are expected to play key roles.
Major Muslim organisations and NGOs have expressed support for the repatriation and are prepared to assist in reunification, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
English (US) ·