ANNEX I: GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS POSED BY RSI RSI contacted government officials from Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK on 17 and 18 November 2020 to pose a summary of the factual findings of RSI’s research pertaining to each country and to provide the governments with a chance to comment or respond. RSI requested that the government officials respond by 20 November 2020 if possible. This annex details the factual findings that RSI posed to each government and summarises each government’s response. We will be providing governments with a further opportunity to comment once they have received a copy of the report and we look forward to continuing dialogue with them on this issue. BELGIUM On 17 November 2020, RSI presented the following summary of factual findings to the Belgian Government: 50 1. RSI’s research shows that there are an estimated 40 Belgian children and 21 Belgian women being arbitrarily detained in al Hol and Roj camps. 2. These women and children are being held in inhumane conditions, as noted by numerous humanitarian organisations and NGOs. Children are dying regularly from preventable and treatable causes, including malnutrition, pneumonia, dehydration and tent fires. Within five days between 6 to 10 August 2020, eight children under five years old died in al Hol camp alone. During its research, RSI was made aware of the death of at least five Belgian toddlers in the camps from causes including malnutrition and dehydration. RSI has also documented instances of children being killed, sexually abused and unaccompanied minors going missing. Women are subjected to physical punishment and solitary confinement for months at a time. Sometimes children are placed in solitary confinement with their mothers; at other times children are left alone in the tents to fend for themselves. 3. The Belgian Government has the sole ability to end the arbitrary detention of their nationals. The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (‘AANES’) has made repeated requests for foreign States to repatriate their nationals and has made clear that they will not release Belgian nationals unless and until Belgium repatriates them. 4. The Belgian Government’s policy on repatriation of its nationals detained in al Hol or Roj camp currently consists of (a) repatriation of children under the age of 10 years with Belgian nationality, (b) ad hoc decisions on repatriation of Belgian children aged between 10 and 18 years, and (c) no active assistance for the repatriation of anyone aged over 18 years. However, if Belgian nationals reach a Belgian embassy, they will be issued travel documents to enable their return. To date, Belgium has repatriated five children and one woman from Ain Issa camp on 14 June 2019. RIGHTS & SECURITY INTERNATIONAL