After leaving the UK for the terrorist organization ISIS in 2015 at the age of 15, Shamima Begum’s decision to appeal her citizenship being revoked has been dismissed. Still, her lawyers warn that it won’t end there.
Court of Appeal Rejects Begum’s Citizenship Challenge
The Court of Appeal dismissed Shamima Begum’s bid to challenge the revocation of her British citizenship after she lost it attempting to join ISIS in 2015.
Joining ISIS at 15
Begum joined ISIS at the age of 15 and was stripped of her UK citizenship in 2019 due to concerns for national security. This decision was upheld last year by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC).
A Story That Shook The World
Alongside her two friends, a 15-year-old Shamima Begum captured the world’s attention by jumping on a flight to Syria to become an ISIS bride after being allegedly groomed online.
Begum’s Claims About Syrian Life
When she arrived, Begum claimed she married a Dutch Jihadist with whom she had three children, all of whom are believed to have not survived.
A Swift Change of Heart
After seeing the horrors that were taking place in the ISIS camps, Begum alleged that she changed her mind and wanted to come home to Bethnal Green, East London.
Stranded in Refugee Camp
This change of heart left Begum stranded in a Syrian refugee camp with no UK citizenship and no family to support her, plus the UK public had already made their feelings clear.
Nine Years Later
In 2023, at the age of 24, Begum was granted permission to return to the UK to challenge the decision that left her in Syrian limbo for the past 9 years.
Court of Appeals to Decide on Lawfulness
If the Court of Appeals were to find Begum’s citizenship revoked as unlawful, then there would be a chance that she could have her citizenship back. Then, she received the hope she was looking for.
Begum’s Hope Reignited
In October 2023, the Court of Appeals heard that the decision to remove Begum’s citizenship in 2015 was unlawful due to the UK not properly investigating how Begum decided to leave the UK in the first place.
Begum’s Lawyers Fight for Her Return
Begum’s lawyers said that they would “keep fighting” until she was “safely back home”, with Samantha Knights arguing, “the deprivation decision was unlawful.”
2024 Ruling Dismisses Case
Now, in 2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed the case, deeming the decision to revoke Begum’s citizenship as lawful. Solicitor Daniel Furner said, “We are not going to stop fighting until she does get justice.”
Possible Supreme Court Appeal
Begum’s legal team is now considering seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. In case of further challenges, they may consider appealing to the European Court of Human Rights.
Weighing Up Two Arguments
In the courtroom, Lady Chief Justice Baronness Carr acknowledged, “It could be argued the decision in Ms Begum’s case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune.”
Not Up to Court to Pick Sides
Despite this acknowledgement, Carr insisted that it was not up to the court to pick a side, but instead, their task was to decide on the lawfulness of her citizenship dismissal.
The Court’s Priority
Carr said, “But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view. Our only task is to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful.”
Begum’s Fate Sealed
“We have concluded it was not and the appeal is dismissed,” Carr said in an abrupt sentence that sealed Begum’s fate outside the UK, at least for now.
Home Secretary’s Response
Former Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who made the decision to revoke Begum’s citizenship, welcomed the Court of Appeal’s ruling, citing national security concerns for his decision in the first place.
Javid Welcomes Ruling
“I welcome today’s court ruling, which has again upheld my decision to remove an individual’s citizenship on national security grounds,” Javid said.
Home Secretary Argues for Power
Javid argued that the Home Secretary should have the power to decide on the future of any citizen if they believe them to be a threat to the country and its people.
The Fight Isn’t Over
Begum has attempted on multiple occasions to reshape her public image, but to no avail, as the court once again rules against her. Now, the country waits for a decision from the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / John Wreford.