03/02/2020 (Agence Europe) – In a resolution adopted last week, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (COE) calls on member states to "actively pursue the repatriation, rehabilitation and (re)integration" of children stranded in Syria and Iraq whose parents pledged allegiance to Daesh. While noting the "highly polarised" opinions on the subject, it highlighted that the children concerned were not responsible for the actions of their parents. By ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, COE member states must "ensure that children affected by armed conflict benefit from protection and care", add the parliamentarians. The Assembly also recommends "ensuring that action against terrorism, when dealing with child-related issues, is focused on the best interests of the child". (VL)