Shabana Mahmood has firmly stated her commitment to vigorously defending the decision to revoke the citizenship of Shamima Begum, a former ISIS bride.
The Home Secretary affirmed that the government will stand firm against a new legal challenge. Legal representatives for Ms. Begum assert that she was manipulated and exploited for sexual purposes at the age of 15. The European Court of Human Rights has requested clarifications from the UK regarding this contentious action.
During discussions in the Commons, Ms. Mahmood assured lawmakers that the case involving Shamima Begum had been extensively litigated up to the UK Supreme Court by the previous administration, and all legal matters have been addressed. She emphasized that the government’s stance on this matter remains unchanged and will be vigorously defended at the European Court of Human Rights.
This statement followed a demand from the Tory Shadow Home Secretary for a guarantee that Ms. Begum would not be allowed to return to the UK. He pointed out her support for the ISIS regime, known for its brutal actions against civilians and minority groups.
Shamima Begum, a London native who journeyed to ISIS-held territory as a schoolgirl, is contesting the decision to strip her of UK citizenship in 2019. The decision was made by former Tory Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, due to national security concerns as she had married an ISIS fighter and is currently residing in a Syrian camp.
Her legal team is challenging the decision based on Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits slavery and forced labor. Despite being denied the opportunity to challenge the decision by the UK Supreme Court, questions have arisen in Strasbourg about whether the UK government should have considered her as a victim of trafficking.
Gareth Peirce, a lawyer representing Ms. Begum, highlighted the failures to protect a 15-year-old at risk of exploitation and trafficking. He criticized the decision to revoke her citizenship without considering the issues of grooming and trafficking of a vulnerable school child.
Having traveled to Syria with two school friends in 2015, both of whom are reported deceased, Ms. Begum married an ISIS recruit upon arrival. She gave birth to three children, all of whom have since passed away.
