Cikotić discussed with family members of BiH citizens in Syrian camps

(Patria) - The BiH Ministry of Security, in line with its responsibilities, is doing everything to ensure all necessary conditions for the return and reception of BiH citizens from Syria, especially women and
children, as soon as possible, said the Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Selmo Cikotić, after today's
meeting with family members of BiH citizens who are in the Al-Hol and Al-Roj camps in
Syria.

According to operational data, there are still about 100 people (women and children) in these two camps. Despite the readiness and commitment of the BiH Ministry of Security to continue the return process
initiated in December last year, due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the return of these
persons has been postponed until favorable conditions are met.

Minister Cikotić emphasized that the BiH Ministry of Security is cooperating in this area with
partner countries and international organizations that have expressed readiness to provide
aid and support to BiH institutions. The BiH Ministry of Security, as the holder of the activities, carried out the process of reception, care, and reintegration of the first group of BiH citizens – six women and 12 children in December 2019. In that
group, seven men were also returned, who, as participants in foreign battlefields, were handed over to the jurisdiction of BiH judicial institutions.

A comprehensive overview of the situation and status of BiH citizens in the Iraq and Syria region has also been compiled, as well as activities
that need to be undertaken to systematically resolve the problem of returnees, their reception
and reintegration. For this purpose, a Working Group has been established to coordinate the process of the return of citizens of Bosnia and
Herzegovina from conflict zones, in which representatives of competent ministries,
judicial and police agencies at all levels of government, as well as social, health, and educational
institutions participate.