Security risk or refugeemum?

Ahead of the likely arrival of a former Isis bride, legal scholars and a prominent Kiwi Muslim advocate are asking what the plan is. Benn Bathgate reports.

she is no extremist ideologue,’’ Pratt said.

‘‘If I am proved wrong, appropriate sanctions can be applied, the main one being the loss of her children. And that, I suggest, she will be desperate to avoid.’’

Relationships key for former extremists to ‘fit in’

A key theme in studies on deradicalisation programmes overseas, including the Prevent programme in the United Kingdom, is the role that family and social relationships can play.

It is a theme that has been acknowledged in New Zealand too.

‘‘Relationships are a primary vehicle for disengagement from violent extremism and appear to be what best enables former violent extremists to ‘fit in’ elsewhere in society.’’

That is the view of Jayde Walker, Department of Corrections senior psychologist.

In a paper titled ‘‘An introduction to countering violent extremism’’, Walker, who declined to speak to Stuff, said social ties could act as an anchor for those who had disengaged from wider society.

‘‘For this reason, promoting the maintenance, or re-establishment of pro-social, non-extremist family and community links is essential in assisting individuals to leave violent extremism.’’

Given the importance of these links, and the fact Aden’s family are in Australia, Stuff asked Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi whether members of Aden’s family would be allowed to enter New Zealand.

‘‘Nothing has been agreed or determined in relation to this case. At the age of 6 years old, the person involved moved with her family from New Zealand to Australia.’’

However, he did add: ‘‘A number of family members have the right to travel tonew Zealand.’’

The role of family in deradicalisation is also a topic that Naureen Chowdhury Fink, former senior policy adviser on counterterrorism at the United Kingdom’smission to the United Nations, and the co-author of International Peace Institute paper Transforming Terrorists, has examined.

She agreed that family could play a crucial role in exiting extremism but there were caveats.

‘‘It must also be recognised that families subscribing to violent extremist ideas themselves can have a negative impact on deradicalisation efforts.’’

In email correspondence with Stuff, Fink stressed the importance of an individual risk analysis ahead of any deradicalisation efforts.

‘‘Her willingness and interest in settling into a ‘non-extremist’ life and the actual options for her to do so will be key,’’ she said.

‘‘A proper security and psychosocial screening will be key.

‘‘Under UN Security Council Resolution 2396, states are urged to consider prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration strategies – premised on the idea that the state should first focus on whether or not the individual is guilty of any crimes related to terrorism, and then consider a suitable reintegration plan.’’

She also noted one additional complication in trying to assess how deradicalisation may work with Aden, and about the broad question of whether such programmes work.

‘‘Most programmes dealing with al Qaeda or Isis also did not have a lot of women so it is unclear but it is clear that not attempting any kind of disengagement programme is also a potential security risk, and unhelpful to the individual,’’ she said.

‘‘Reported stats from some state programmes indicated that recidivism was not worse than for other crimes, and better in some instances.’’

What’s the plan?

Anjum Rahman, founding member of the Islamic Women’s Council and the Inclusive Aotearoa Collective, told Stuff she too has been asking a lot of questions about Aden.

‘‘If she is going to come here, what is the plan?’’ she said.

‘‘There are people still bent on causing harm and she will be a focal point, and in our community. I have had all those concerns.’’

Rahman said that while she had not been contacted by any government agencies, she would be willing to offer Aden support on her arrival back in New Zealand, though she was careful to stress her organisations are not there for mental health support or deradicalisation efforts.

‘‘We would be willing to help as long as the other side was taken care of.

‘‘She will need some support and we will look at connecting her. Being a singlemumis never easy.’’

‘‘Kiwi Jihadi’’ Mark Taylor was serving with Isis.

Anjum Rahman, a member of the Muslim community, has been asking questions.