Family Courts as Part of States' Counter-Terrorism Toolkit: A Welcome Development for the Children of FTF's?
Forthcoming in: Capone, F., Mignot-Mahdavi, R. and Paulussen, C. (eds.), Returning Foreign Fighters, The Hague: T.M.C. Asser Press, (2021)
T.M.C. Asser Institute for International & European Law - Research Paper 2021-05
32 Pages Posted: 7 Sep 2021
Date Written: August 18, 2021
Abstract
The case for family courts having a bigger or exclusive role in making and monitoring arrangements for the families and, in particular, the children of alleged foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) is strong. These courts can be a conduit for a whole of government approach in respect of children potentially impacted by radicalisation or extremism and/or children of alleged FTFs. As part of the broader rule of law framework, the family justice system works in cooperation with the criminal justice system to ensure the proper administration of justice in both of these jurisdictions. What makes family law better suited to addressing cases of (potentially) radicalised children or children of alleged FTFs however is the best interests of the child principle – a foundational principle of family law regardless of the jurisdiction. What this chapter proposes to do is to put forward the case for family courts and pertinent child support and protection services as a more long-term and sustainable response to the plight of accompanied and orphaned children of alleged FTFs; a response which respects the applicable international legal obligations.
Keywords: foreign fighters, counter-terrorism, children’s rights, family courts, radicalisation
JEL Classification: K14, K33
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation