WELLINGTON, Jul 26 (NNN-ANADOLU) – The New Zealand government agreed to the managed return of a New Zealand citizen and her two young children from Turkey, Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, said today.
The three have been in immigration detention in Turkey since crossing the border from Syria earlier this year. The Turkish government identified the New Zealand citizen, Suhayra Aden, as a terrorist, belonging to the Daesh, and has requested that New Zealand repatriate the family.
“The safety and wellbeing of New Zealanders is paramount for the government,” Ardern said in a statement, adding New Zealand has not taken this step lightly.
“We have taken into account our international responsibilities, as well as, details of this particular case, including the fact that children are involved,” she said, adding, the woman was a dual New Zealand-Australian citizen until Australia revoked her citizenship.
“Unfortunately, Australia would not reverse the cancellation of citizenship,” Ardern said.
“A number of other countries managed the return of mothers and children from the region, and this is the position we now find ourselves in,” she said, adding, in this case the welfare and best interests of the children has been a primary concern.
It has previously been made clear that any New Zealander, who might be suspected of association with a terrorist group, should expect to be investigated under New Zealand law, but that would be a matter for the Police, Ardern said.– NNN-ANADOLU
