Shamima Begum Loses Appeal Over UK Citizenship

Facts

• Shamima Begum lost an appeal to overturn the UK Government's decision to rescind the 24-year-old's British Citizenship in Feb. 2019, concluding that the actions of former Home Secretary Sajid Javid were lawful.¹
• At the age of 15, Begum traveled to Syria alongside two other individuals and, according to a UK Supreme Court judgment, 'aligned' herself with the Islamic State group — marrying a member of the organization.²
• Begum and her husband surrendered to members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) following the collapse of the terrorist organization's 'self-styled caliphate,' and have since been situated in the Al-Hawl camp in the north-east of the country.²
• After an appeal to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission was dismissed in Feb. 2023, Begum argued that Javid had not considered whether she was a victim of trafficking, whether the deprival of citizenship was proportionate or conducive to the public good, and other factors.²
• The UK Court of Appeals concluded that, while 'it could be argued that the decision in Ms Begum's case was harsh,' it could 'also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune.' The court continued that it was to decide whether Government actions were unlawful.¹
• Commenting on the decision on X, Sajid Javid stated that he 'welcome[d]' the court's ruling, continuing that a Home Secretary 'should have the power' to 'prevent anyone entering our country who is assessed to pose a threat.'³

Sources: ¹The National Archives, ²judiciary.uk and ³twitter.com.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Evening Standard. It is the job of the Home Secretary to keep the UK population safe, and the risk of allowing a former active Islamic State group member back into the country would set a dangerous precedent. If individuals leave the UK to join a terrorist organization, they should not be expected to be allowed to return to the country that they betrayed and sought to undermine.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by The Mirror. If Begum was white and of ethnically British origin, the question of her citizenship would never have been raised. Begum was exploited and horrifically abused for years, and by the age of 19 had found herself a widowed mother who had lost three children. The reality is that, whether we like it or not, she is UK-born and raised. Begum deserves to — like any member of British society — face the responsibilities of her crimes in the UK.

Predictions