THE THEOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT MODEL FOR RETURNEES RETURNING FROM AREAS OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY: THE CASE OF KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Since January 2019, Kazakhstan has been evacuating its citizens from the terrorism-affected area in Syria and Iraq. Yet, three years later, rehabilitation and reintegration proved ineffective especially in regards of women and children. The programme faces a number of obstacles, i.e. shortages of qualified professional personnel and underdevelopment of the indicators; capacity deficit in tackling domestic and financial problems of the repatriated persons; safety and stigmatization of the returned women. The article is focused on the shortcomings of the information and awareness-raising component of the programme. The content analysis of the materials from the printed and social media revealed the limitations of the measures aimed at repatriation and rehabilitation of the persons evacuated from the terrorism-affected areas who are still regarded as ‘posing security threat’ by ordinary people. Public condemnation and resentment have an anti-therapeutic effect and complicate reintegration of such women and children. Moreover, the findings of the expert survey indicate that the gender factor has been neglected and de-radicalization measures aimed at repatriated women - including so-called ‘theological correction’ - are similar to those applied while working with male inmates in the penitentiary facilities in Kazakhstan. These have also been proved ineffective. The author concludes that the acute shortcomings in the rehabilitation programme may result in re-radicalization of the repatriated women.