Supreme Court Rejects Shamima Begum’s Final Appeal
Shamima Begum, who had her British citizenship revoked in 2019, has lost her final legal attempt to challenge the decision. The 24-year-old, who left the UK as a teenager to join the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria, will not be allowed to appeal to the UK’s Supreme Court.
Legal Battle Reaches End in the UK
The justices at the UK’s highest court ruled that Begum’s case did not present any “arguable point of law” that could justify overturning the previous rulings. This decision marks her last opportunity to challenge the citizenship revocation within the UK legal system. Despite this, her legal team has announced plans to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Background: Journey to Syria and Subsequent Controversy
Begum left her home in Bethnal Green, East London, in 2015 along with two school friends to join the IS group 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.
Previous Legal Rulings
Earlier this year, both the Court of Appeal and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) rejected Begum’s attempts to regain her citizenship. The Supreme Court has now also denied her permission to appeal, effectively closing the case within the UK.
Next Steps: European Court of Human Rights
Begum’s legal team has expressed their intent to explore every possible legal option, including bringing the case before the ECHR in Strasbourg. They argue that the decision to strip her of citizenship did not adequately consider whether she was a potential victim of trafficking.
Human Rights Groups React
Human rights organizations have strongly criticized the decision. Maya Foa, director of Reprieve, stated that the UK’s approach to Begum’s case is driven by politics rather than the rule of law. Amnesty International also condemned the ruling, calling it “profoundly wrong” and highlighting the difficult conditions in the Syrian camp where Begum is currently held.
Current Situation
Shamima Begum remains in Camp Roj in northeast Syria, where nearly 3,000 people, including many children, are detained under harsh and dangerous conditions.