By Shamima Begum, who was stripped of her British citizenship in 2019, has lost her final legal bid to challenge the decision. The 24-year-old, who traveled to Syria as a teenager to join the Islamic State group, will not be allowed to appeal to the UK’s Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Decision
The justices ruled that her case did not present any “arguable point of law” that would justify overturning the earlier decisions. This marks her last chance to challenge the citizenship revocation within the UK legal system. However, her legal team plans to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Background
Begum left her home in Bethnal Green, East London, in 2015 with two school friends to join IS in Syria. She married an IS fighter and had three children, all of whom have since died. In 2019, then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid revoked her British citizenship on national security grounds, leaving her stranded in a Syrian refugee camp.
Legal Battle
Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) both rejected her attempts to regain her citizenship. The Supreme Court has now also denied her permission to appeal.
Future Legal Steps
Begum’s legal team expressed their intention to pursue every possible legal avenue, including taking the case to the ECHR in Strasbourg. They argue that the decision to strip her of citizenship did not properly consider whether she was a potential victim of trafficking.
Criticism and Reaction
Human rights groups have criticized the decision, with Reprieve’s director, Maya Foa, stating that the UK’s approach to Begum’s case is driven by politics rather than law. Amnesty International also condemned the ruling, describing it as “profoundly wrong” and highlighting the harsh conditions in the Syrian camp where Begum is held.
Current Situation
Begum remains in Camp Roj in northeast Syria, where nearly 3,000 people, including many children, are detained under difficult and dangerous conditions.
The UK Home Office has noted the Supreme Court’s decision but declined to comment further.
