Returning Foreign Fighters: Responses, Legal Challenges and Ways Forward

This book examines the responses of the international community and individual States to returning foreign fighters (FFs) and their families, focusing on returnees from Syria and Iraq to European countries. It aims to bridge the divide between international standards and their implementation, identify effective and sustainable solutions, and adhere to international law.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2023
Publisher: T.M.C. Asser Press

This comprehensive book, a sequel to the 2016 volume "Foreign Fighters under International Law and Beyond," delves into the diverse responses of the international community and individual States to (potential and actual) returning foreign fighters (FFs) and their families, with a specific focus on returnees from Syria and Iraq to European countries. Recognising that States and international organizations are still in the process of navigating this complex terrain, the academic community plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between international standards and their effective implementation at the national level. Moreover, scholars are essential in identifying solutions that balance security concerns with the protection of human rights, ultimately striving to achieve the goals outlined in this volume.

The insights, recommendations, and cautions presented in this book will be valuable in future discussions on (returning) FFs, encompassing the academic realm, policy-making circles, and the broader public. Authored by esteemed experts in the field, including Francesca Capone, Christophe Paulussen, and Rebecca Mignot-Mahdavi, this publication offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on this critical issue.

As Associate Professor of International Law at the Istituto DIRPOLIS of the Scuola Superiore SantAnna in Pisa, Italy, Francesca Capone brings extensive expertise to the study of foreign fighters. Christophe Paulussen, as Senior Researcher International Law at the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague, Netherlands, contributes his extensive knowledge to the examination of international law. Rebecca Mignot-Mahdavi, as Lecturer in International Law at the Manchester International Law Centre, University of Manchester, School of Law in Manchester, United Kingdom, brings her academic insights to the discussion.

In conclusion, this book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and the general public, providing a comprehensive analysis of the responses to returning foreign fighters and their families. By bridging the gap between international standards and their practical implementation, it contributes to shaping effective and sustainable strategies to address this complex issue.

Weight: 653g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789462655706
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023