Email from Counter Extremism Project (CEP) CEP Webinar: A Lawless Space – Foreign Fighters Detained in Northeastern Syria (Berlin, Germany / New York, N.Y.) – Since the defeat of the so-called Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS), thousands of men, women, and children with alleged links to the “caliphate” remain detained in Kurdish-administered camps and detention centers in Northeastern Syria. While some countries of origin have been, although reluctantly, repatriating an increasing number of women and minors from the camps – the issue of the detained men and adolescent boys receives far less attention. In particular are suspected ISIS members who are considered to pose serious security risks, approximately 10,000 men from more than 74 countries, including at least 28 adult men from Germany. However, most of the detainees have still not been charged with any crime and conditions in those facilities seem to violate international human rights, humanitarian, and child welfare standards. At the same time, the Kurdish-led administration is facing complex political, logistical, and capacity constraints. Six years after the fall of the ISIS “caliphate” and despite numerous prison riots and escape attempts, there has been little political will to repatriate these men and boys. Affected governments and the international community have not done enough to find a durable solution compliant with international law for these detainees – especially boys and young men who were taken by their parents to ISIS-held territory or born there. The status quo significantly burdens the Kurdish forces and impedes holding ISIS members accountable for their crimes. It also presents a significant security threat to the region and beyond, particularly given the uncertainty and instability following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. In this context, the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is delighted to invite you to this webinar, where Sofia Koller, Senior Research Analyst at CEP Germany, and Iva Mrvová, reporter and researcher with extensive field experience in Northeastern Syria, will be presenting key insights from their policy paper, A Lawless Space – Alleged ISIS-affiliated Men and Boys from Germany detained in Northeastern Syria.  This CEP policy paper serves as a starting point for a discussion on the current situation of foreign men and boys detained in Northeastern Syria, the importance of safeguarding human rights while countering terrorism, and ways forward in view of the current security and political situation in Syria. The webinar will be conducted in English via Zoom. Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Time: 9:00 am ET / 15:00 CET to 10:30 am ET / 16:30 CET EVENT PROGRAM: Introductory Remarks: Prof. Ben Saul United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter Terrorism, Challis Chair of International Law, The University of Sydney Presenters: Sofia Koller Senior Research Analyst, CEP Iva Mrvovà Reporter and Researcher Moderator: Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler Senior Director, CEP The presentations will be followed by a Q&A-session open to all participants. REGISTRATION: To participate in this webinar please register via this link: [link removed] Please register up to one hour before the webinar start so that your registration can be approved in time. Please feel free to forward this invitation to colleagues with an interest in the subject.   The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is a nonprofit and non-partisan international policy organization working to combat the growing threat posed by extremist ideologies. CEP depends on the generosity of its supporters. If you value what we do, please consider making a donation. DONATE Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe for yourself here. Counter Extremism Project (CEP) | PO Box 3980 | NEW YORK, NY 10185 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice