was being held in the main al Hol camp under the care of a Syrian woman and not in the al Hol Annex with his siblings. However, owing to delays in Germany’s repatriation effort, the family and lawyers lost contact with the Syrian woman. The German child therefore remains unaccounted for and his whereabouts is unknown. THE NETHERLANDS Estimated number of women and children in the camps It is estimated that there are around 75 Dutch children and 25 Dutch women detained in al Hol and Roj camps.16 Government policy on repatriation The Dutch Government confirmed to RSI in November 2020 that its policy is not to actively repatriate its citizens from Syria on the basis that the security situation is highly unstable and unsafe, and repatriation could have adverse consequences for both the Netherlands’ national security and for the security of its Schengen partners.17 However, if a Dutch national reaches a Dutch diplomatic representation in the region, he or she can request consular assistance and will be escorted back to the Netherlands to face trial.18 In the case of orphans with Dutch nationality, the Dutch Government confirmed that it assesses on a case-by-case basis whether and how they can return to the Netherlands.19 Repatriation practice Facilitated by a French delegation, two Dutch orphans were repatriated in June 2019.20 RSI understands that the Dutch Government considered them to be an exceptional case. There are no known subsequent efforts to repatriate from the camps. THE UNITED KINGDOM Estimated number of women and children in the camps It is estimated that there are around 35 British children and 15 British women detained in al Hol and Roj camps.21 The British Government disputed this estimation in a letter to RSI in November 2020 but did not provide any alternative figure.22 The number of British citizens in particularly hard to ascertain due to the extensive policy of deprivation of nationality by the British Government. It is unclear whether those individuals who have been deprived of their citizenship but are appealing this decision are included in the above estimation. Government policy on repatriation The British Government confirmed to RSI in November 2020 that it is willing to repatriate British orphans and unaccompanied minors, subject to national security concerns and on a case-by-case basis.23 and only if this can be done in a safe manner. RSI understands that there are very few British unaccompanied minors or orphans and that the majority of British children are detained with their mothers,24 the British Government confirmed that they will not repatriate adult British nationals 61 RIGHTS & SECURITY INTERNATIONAL