Shabana Mahmood is determined to vigorously uphold the decision to revoke ISIS bride Shamima Begum’s citizenship. The Home Secretary affirmed that the Government will stand firm against a new legal challenge. Begum’s legal team argues that she was manipulated for sexual exploitation at the age of 15. The European Court of Human Rights has sought clarification from Britain regarding this contentious action.
Addressing the issue in Parliament, Mahmood emphasized that the case concerning Shamima Begum had been extensively litigated by the previous administration up to the UK Supreme Court, which did not hear the final appeal as all legal aspects had been addressed. The government has embraced this stance and will steadfastly defend it at the European Court of Human Rights.
This statement followed a demand from the Tory Shadow Home Secretary for assurance that Begum would not be permitted to return, citing her support for the ISIS regime responsible for atrocities. Begum, a London native who journeyed to ISIS-controlled territory as a schoolgirl, challenges the decision to strip her of UK citizenship in 2019.
Former Tory Home Secretary Sajid Javid took action after deeming her a national security threat due to her association with an ISIS fighter. Begum, currently in a Syrian camp, is contesting the decision under Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights, focusing on the prohibition of slavery and forced labor. Judges in Strasbourg have questioned whether the Government failed to consider Begum as a trafficking victim.
Begum, now 26, traveled to Syria in 2015 with two school friends, both of whom have reportedly died. After marrying an ISIS recruit, she gave birth to three children, all of whom passed away.