Trying foreign Islamic State (ISIS) fighters detained in northern Syria through local trials and an international tribunal is the right programme to ensure justice, said the Canadian delegation that visited the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) last week, adding that they remain committed to ensuring Canada’s key role in advancing these initiatives.

In response to AANES’ previously announced plans to try ISIS members, the Canadian delegation expressed appreciation for significant efforts made by the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in initiating local trials for individuals implicated in human rights abuses.

“Given the magnitude and gravity of the offences committed, this presents a significant challenge. Canada and other nations must provide assistance,” said the Canadian representatives, comprising various politicians, legal experts, and intellectuals.

These remarks came during the official Canadian delegation visit to the region, led by Senator Kim Pate from the Canadian Senate, to discuss the repatriation of foreign nationals from families associated with the ISIS, according to the official statement by the Foreign Relations Department of AANES on Monday.

The Canadian representatives stressed that concrete initiatives must be implemented to ensure the repatriation of Canadians and other foreign nationals from Syria, especially those living in camps and detention centres. They underlined Canada’s responsibility in achieving this aim.

The Roj and Hawl camps in northeastern Syria currently hold more than 57,000 people affiliated with ISIS, 10,000 of whom are citizens of countries other than Syria or Iraq. To date, Canada has repatriated 21 nationals from camps and prisons in northeastern Syria.

On Monday a delegation from Kyrgyzstan also visited AANES. The meeting ended with the handover of 64 children and 30 women from ISIS families to the Kyrgyz Republic.