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Shamima Begum: Isis Briton faces move to revoke citizenship Shamima Begum: Isis Briton faces move to revoke citizenship
(about 2 hours later)
The family of a teenager who travelled to Syria to join Islamic State has been told the Home Office intends to revoke her British citizenship, according to their lawyer. The row over the fate of Shamima Begum, the teenager who travelled from east London to Syria to join Islamic State in 2015, took a further twist on Tuesday as the home secretary ordered that she be deprived of her British citizenship.
Shamima Begum, who left her home in Bethnal Green, east London, at the age of 15, is in a refugee camp in Syria, where she gave birth to a boy at the weekend. Sajid Javid has sought to adopt a tough stance in respect of Begum’s case but he was immediately faced with the prospect of a legal battle as Tasnime Akunjee, a lawyer for her relatives, said they were “considering all legal avenues to challenge the decision”, adding that it had left them “very disappointed”.
Begum, now 19, had called on the British people to have sympathy for her and asked to be allowed to return to the UK. The home secretary, Sajid Javid, responded by insisting that he would do all in his power to prevent her coming back. Begum was 15 when she left her home in Bethnal Green and is now in a refugee camp in Syria, where she gave birth to a boy at the weekend.
On Tuesday, Tasnime Akunjee, the family’s lawyer, said Begum’s relatives were “very disappointed with the Home Office’s intention to have an order made depriving Shamima of her citizenship”. He said they were “considering all legal avenues to challenge this decision”. The 19-year-old had called on the British people to have sympathy for her and asked to be allowed to return to the UK. But Javid insisted he would do all in his power to prevent her coming back.
While the Home Office has not commented, the Guardian understands the home secretary believes section 40(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 gives him the power to strip Begum of her UK citizenship. The Guardian understands the home secretary thinks section 40(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 gives him the power to strip Begum of her UK citizenship.
He has made an order and believes the fact Begum’s parents are of Bangladeshi heritage means she can apply for citizenship of that country, which she says she has never visited. He wrote to her family informing them he had made such an order, believing the fact her parents are of Bangladeshi heritage means she can apply for citizenship of that country – though Begum says she has never visited it.
This is crucial because, while the law bars him from making a person stateless, it allows him to remove citizenship if he can show Begum has behaved “in a manner which is seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the United Kingdom” and he “has reasonable grounds for believing that the person is able, under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, to become a national of such a country or territory”. This is crucial because, while the law bars him from making a person stateless, it allows him to remove citizenship if he can show Begum has behaved “in a manner which is seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the UK” and he has “reasonable grounds for believing that the person is able, under the law of a country or territory outside the UK, to become a national of such a country or territory”.
Begum has 28 days from when the order was made to appeal to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission against Javid’s interpretation of his powers.Begum has 28 days from when the order was made to appeal to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission against Javid’s interpretation of his powers.
Legal sources claimed on Tuesday night the commission had thrown out previous attempts by the government in similar circumstances to strip citizenship and a fight in the courts looks likely. The move is likely to prove highly controversial, with legal sources claiming on Tuesday night that the commission had thrown out previous attempts by the government in similar circumstances to strip citizenship.
According to ITV News, Begum’s mother received a letter notifying her of the Home Office’s intention to strip her citizenship on Tuesday. “Please find enclosed papers that relate to a decision taken by the home secretary, to deprive your daughter, Shamima Begum, of her British citizenship,” the letter read, according to the programme. The human rights campaign group Liberty said Javid must observe the “fundamental principles of due process and the rule of law upon which we all rely”, while meeting his obligation to keep the public safe.
“In light of the circumstances of your daughter, the notice of the home secretary’s decision has been served of file today (19 February), and the order removing her British citizenship has subsequently been made.” A spokesman said: “The government has an array of powers available to it to deal with people suspected of involvement in terrorism – including the criminal law. Taking away a person’s citizenship is one of the most serious among them and must not be wielded lightly.”
ITV News said the letter urged Begum’s family to make her aware of the decision, adding that she had a right to appeal. He added that the Home Office’s response “must include a serious look at how a 15 year-old girl was apparently able to leave the country to join a proscribed group without effective action being taken to safeguard her”.
Begum left the UK along with two schoolfriends in 2015 and her case was thrust back into the spotlight last week, when she declared her wish to return for the sake of her newly born child. She made the plea in an interview with the Times, conducted in a Syrian refugee camp. On Tuesday evening, a Home Office spokesman said: “In recent days, the home secretary has clearly stated that his priority is the safety and security of Britain and the people who live here. In order to protect this country, he has the power to deprive someone of their British citizenship where it would not render them stateless.
“I’m not the same silly little 15-year-old schoolgirl who ran away from Bethnal Green four years ago. And I don’t regret coming here,” the heavily pregnant Begum told the paper last Wednesday. “We do not comment on individual cases, but any decisions to deprive individuals of their citizenship are based on all available evidence and not taken lightly.”
Sitting with her newborn baby during an interview the following Sunday, she said: “I feel a lot of people should have sympathy for me, for everything I’ve been through. You know, I didn’t know what I was getting into when I left. ITV News, which published the letter it said was sent to Begum’s mother on Tuesday, said the Home Office had urged Begum’s family to make her aware of the decision, adding that she had a right to appeal.
She told Sky News: “I was hoping that maybe for the sake of me and my child they let me come back. Because I can’t live in this camp forever. It’s not really possible.” Begum left the UK along with two schoolfriends and her case was thrust back into the spotlight last week, when she declared her wish to return for the sake of her child in an interview with the Times.
Javid has made clear his fierce opposition to her return, writing in the Sunday Times that “there will be consequences” for those who travelled to Syria to support groups such as Isis. In a Sky News interview the following Sunday, she said: “I feel a lot of people should have sympathy for me, for everything I’ve been through. You know, I didn’t know what I was getting into when I left ... I was hoping that maybe for the sake of me and my child they let me come back.”
On Monday, he added: “Certainly, anyone that went to support terrorism in any way whatsoever, we are not going to risk the lives of any British officials – soldiers or anyone – to help them or rescue them.” But Javid made clear his fierce opposition to her return. Responding to an urgent question in the Commons on Monday he said: “Certainly, anyone that went to support terrorism in any way whatsoever, we are not going to risk the lives of any British officials – soldiers or anyone – to help them or rescue them.”
Responding to an urgent question in the Commons, Javid told MPs more than 900 people had travelled from the UK to Syria or Iraq. “Whatever role they took in the so-called caliphate, they all supported a terrorist organisation and in doing so they have shown they hate our country and the values we stand for.” Javid told MPs more than 900 people had travelled from the UK to Syria or Iraq. “Whatever role they took in the so-called caliphate, they all supported a terrorist organisation and in doing so they have shown they hate our country and the values we stand for.”
February 2015February 2015
At the age of 15, Shamima Begum flees her home in Bethnal Green, east London. She travels with schoolfriends Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana. The three intend to meet another friend, Sharmeena Begum – no relation of Shamima – who had travelled to Syria in late 2014.At the age of 15, Shamima Begum flees her home in Bethnal Green, east London. She travels with schoolfriends Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana. The three intend to meet another friend, Sharmeena Begum – no relation of Shamima – who had travelled to Syria in late 2014.
CCTV footage shows the girls walking through Gatwick airport, where they boarded a flight to Turkey. There they are picked up by smugglers and taken across the border to an Isis base in northern Syria. Once there they move into a women’s house in Raqqa and apply to marry.CCTV footage shows the girls walking through Gatwick airport, where they boarded a flight to Turkey. There they are picked up by smugglers and taken across the border to an Isis base in northern Syria. Once there they move into a women’s house in Raqqa and apply to marry.
July 2015July 2015
The families of the girls say that two of them have married Isis fighters, without disclosing which. They say they are distraught at the news.The families of the girls say that two of them have married Isis fighters, without disclosing which. They say they are distraught at the news.
It later emerges that Begum had married 27-year-old Yago Riedijk, an Isis fighter from the Netherlands, 10 days after arriving in Raqqa. Soon afterwards she became pregnant with her first child, a daughter named Sarayah.It later emerges that Begum had married 27-year-old Yago Riedijk, an Isis fighter from the Netherlands, 10 days after arriving in Raqqa. Soon afterwards she became pregnant with her first child, a daughter named Sarayah.
July 2016July 2016
Abase marries an 18-year-old Australian jihadist, Abdullah Elmir. He was later reported by intelligence agencies to have been killed by a coalition airstrike.Abase marries an 18-year-old Australian jihadist, Abdullah Elmir. He was later reported by intelligence agencies to have been killed by a coalition airstrike.
August 2016August 2016
Sultana’s family say that they believe she had been killed in an airstrike in Raqqa in May 2016. Sultana’s family say that they believe she had been killed in an airstrike in Raqqa in May 2016. 
January 2017January 2017
Begum and her family flee Raqqa as Isis retreats and head south-east to the town of Mayadin. She has another child, a son called Jerah. Later, the family moves again as Isis is pushed back.Begum and her family flee Raqqa as Isis retreats and head south-east to the town of Mayadin. She has another child, a son called Jerah. Later, the family moves again as Isis is pushed back.
June 2018June 2018
Begum sees her two surviving classmates, Sharmeena Begum and Abase, for the last time.Begum sees her two surviving classmates, Sharmeena Begum and Abase, for the last time.
Late 2018Late 2018
Jerah dies, aged eight months, of malnutrition and an unknown illness. Her daughter dies soon after, aged one year and nine months.Jerah dies, aged eight months, of malnutrition and an unknown illness. Her daughter dies soon after, aged one year and nine months.
February 2019February 2019
Begum, who is heavily pregnant, gives an interview to the Times, in which she says that she should be allowed to return to the UK to raise her unborn third child. She gives birth a few days later. The Home Office tells her family that her citizenship will be revoked.Begum, who is heavily pregnant, gives an interview to the Times, in which she says that she should be allowed to return to the UK to raise her unborn third child. She gives birth a few days later. The Home Office tells her family that her citizenship will be revoked.
He added: “Now this so-called caliphate is crumbling, some of them want to return and I have been very clear: where I can, and where any threat remains, I will not hesitate to prevent this. He added that he had the power to ban foreign nationals from the country and to strip “dangerous dual nationals” of their British citizenship. “Over 100 people have already been deprived in this way,” he said.
“The powers available to me include banning non-British people from this country and stripping dangerous dual nationals of their British citizenship. Over 100 people have already been deprived in this way.” Javid can also use temporary exclusion orders to bar the return of jihadists for up to two years. He said that Britons who do return to the UK “will be questioned, investigated and potentially prosecuted”.
Javid can use temporary exclusion orders to bar the return of jihadists for up to two years. He acknowledged it was not within his power to render a person stateless, and said the UK “must, of course, observe international law”. Therefore, he said that Britons who do return to the UK “will be questioned, investigated and potentially prosecuted”. In the view of the family’s lawyer, the advice that Begum’s Bangladeshi heritage can be used to deprive her of UK citizenship is incorrect. “Our view is that this would be illegal because they would make her a stateless person, in breach of international law. We are surprised the home secretary does not understand international law, or care about international law,” said Akunjee, when the prospect was raised last week.
In the view of the family’s lawyer, however, the advice that Begum’s Bangladeshi heritage can be used to deprive her of UK citizenship is incorrect. “Our view is that this would be illegal because they would make her a stateless person, in breach of international law. We are surprised the home secretary does not understand international law, or care about international law,” Akunjee said.
“If he were to attempt to put such orders on, we would explore all legal options to block his unlawful actions or appeal. If we can get an injunction, we will.”“If he were to attempt to put such orders on, we would explore all legal options to block his unlawful actions or appeal. If we can get an injunction, we will.”
Begum’s relatives have called for her to be looked upon as a “girl who was groomed at the age of 15”. They said that comments she has made to journalists, characterised by some as betraying a lack of remorse, should be viewed with skepticism.
Taking Shamima Begum's citizenship risks making her a martyr | Robert VerkaikTaking Shamima Begum's citizenship risks making her a martyr | Robert Verkaik
“We are also mindful that Shamima is currently in a camp surrounded by Isis sympathisers, and any comments by her could lead directly to danger to her and her child,” they told ITV News. After the decision was announced, the Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokesman, Ed Davey, said: “Membership of a terrorist group is a serious crime, as is encouraging or supporting terrorism. But Shamima Begum should face justice for those crimes in the UK.
They said they welcomed an investigation into her time in Syria and called for her to be dealt with by the British justice system. On Tuesday, that call was echoed by the Liberal Democrats, whose home affairs spokesman, Ed Davey, said: “Membership of a terrorist group is a serious crime, as is encouraging or supporting terrorism. But Shamima Begum should face justice for those crimes in the UK.
“It is not only hard to see Ms Begum and her baby as constituting a serious threat to national security, but it also seems a huge wasted opportunity. We can learn lessons as to why a young girl went to Syria in the first place; lessons which could improve Britain’s security by helping us prevent this happening again.”“It is not only hard to see Ms Begum and her baby as constituting a serious threat to national security, but it also seems a huge wasted opportunity. We can learn lessons as to why a young girl went to Syria in the first place; lessons which could improve Britain’s security by helping us prevent this happening again.”
The Labour MP, Stella Creasy, said: “However horrific her defence of Isis, if the home secretary can start with stripping this woman and her week-old child of their citizenship for his leadership bid, where does it end?” Creasy added that she too would prefer to see Begum dealt with by the domestic justice system.The Labour MP, Stella Creasy, said: “However horrific her defence of Isis, if the home secretary can start with stripping this woman and her week-old child of their citizenship for his leadership bid, where does it end?” Creasy added that she too would prefer to see Begum dealt with by the domestic justice system.
The Conservative chair of the Commons education committee, Robert Halfon, who had spoken out against allowing Shamima to return, said Javid had made “absolutely the right decision”.
Shamima BegumShamima Begum
Islamic StateIslamic State
SyriaSyria
Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and North Africa
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