Summary

The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism conducted a joint thematic visit to Germany and North Macedonia from 3 to 12 July 2023 to discuss the repatriation, return, reintegration and prosecution of persons returning from conflict zones, mainly the Syrian Arab Republic and Iraq.

She positively recognizes the efforts of both countries on repatriation, reintegration and prosecution and commends the innovative prosecution practices in place in Germany, including for core crimes and cumulative charging. She urges the Government of Germany to continue to repatriate all its nationals, including men, and to ensure that repatriation processes advance the best interests of the child. Regarding North Macedonia, she commends the repatriation of women, children and men from the Syrian Arab Republic and positively acknowledges the development of an inter-agency and interdisciplinary reintegration model at the municipal level. She encourages the Government to expand the scope of those programmes and the return of all remaining nationals from conflict zones and to avoid stigmatization in efforts to counter violent extremism.