The Children of Islamic State

Written on .

 

Quilliam is a counter-extremism think tank based in London focusing on Islamist radicalisation, extremism, terrorism, and how to counter these phenomena. Their work combines research, outreach, and advocacy. Their latest report decribes and analyzes the plight of children raised by Daesh to serve the caliphate as child soldiers.  Germanpages.de -- Deutsche Rundschau is pleased to present the Executive Summary of this report.

   The future of children born and raised in Islamic State (Daesh) is a pertinent and pressing problem, requiring the immediate attention of the international community.

 

   There are currently 31,000 pregnant women within the ‘caliphate’ 1 . As many as 50 children from the United Kingdom are growing up on jihad in Islamic State, and no prior research examines what will happen to them if they choose to return.

   This report attempts to fill this gap by addressing the reintegration, re-education, and rehabilitation challenges of returning or escaping children. Over the last six months, Quilliam researchers have archived, translated, and analysed propaganda released by Islamic State featuring children. This is the first database of its kind, and reveals the following:   

   The largest amount of Islamic State media featuring children relates to violence, comprising either of children directly participating in violence, or being exposed and normalised to violence. Islamic State’s wilayats in Iraq have released the most images showing children and teens in combat and acting as suicide bombers.

    Based on our findings, the report proposes a thorough assessment process for children who return or escape from Islamic State. This procedure evaluates the extent of radicalisation of the child, their degree of agency in joining Islamic State, the trauma and abuse they have suffered, and the immediate and long-term needs for ensuring effective Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration, and Rehabilitation DDR(R). The recommendations detail a multi-structural support network for monitoring a child’s progress.

(Please see the full report here)

Noman Benotman & Nikita Malik -- Quilliam & The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative

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