ISIS bride Shamima Begum loses bid to regain UK citizenship

23 February 2024 07:00 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Feb 23 - Shamima Begum, the London-born Bangladeshi-origin woman, who fled the UK as a 15-year-old schoolgirl to join the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist network, on Friday lost yet another legal bid to regain her British citizenship and return to the UK.

The ruling means the 24-year-old must remain in Syria. The government stripped her citizenship on national security grounds in 2019.

Ms Begum left London nine years ago aged 15 to travel to Syria and join Islamic State group, or IS.

The ruling by three appeal judges was unanimous. It could still be challenged in the Supreme Court by Ms Begum.

Her solicitor, Daniel Furner said that her legal team was "not going to stop fighting until she does get justice and until she is safely back home".

However the judges wholly dismissed all of Ms Begum's arguments - a highly significant rejection that could affect her ability to gain a full appeal at the Supreme Court.

Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said: "It could be argued the decision in Ms Begum's case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune.

"But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view.

"Our only task is to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful. We have concluded it was not, and the appeal is dismissed."

Ms Begum's lawyers went to the Court of Appeal after losing a hearing last year. They argued that the Home Office's decision to remove her citizenship was unlawful, in part because British officials failed to properly consider whether she was a potential victim of trafficking.

Sir James Eadie KC, for the Home Office, said the "key feature" in the case was national security.

"The fact that someone is radicalised, and may have been manipulated, is not inconsistent with the assessment that they pose a national security risk," he said.

The ruling represents a substantial victory for the government and averts a potential legal crisis: were the decision to be reversed, home secretaries would in future need to balance national security considerations with questions of whether someone is a victim.

Responding to the court's decision, the Home Office said it was "pleased" at Friday's ruling, adding that its "priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK".

A spokeswoman for the prime minister said the government would "always take the strongest possible action to protect our national security", adding that it never took decisions to remove citizenship lightly.

Outside court, however, Ms Begum's solicitors said that it was very likely they would ask the Supreme Court to get involved. A response however could take up to a year.

Gareth Peirce, of Ms Begum's legal team, said the UK was under a moral duty to take Ms Begum back, as other nations had with citizens found in Syria.

Comments - 13

Lk Friday, 23 February 2024 07:22 PM

What do you expect from 15 years old child at that time ? Judges must consider her age and her cognitive reasoning ability at that time . passing any legal jurisdiction for underaged child is not good as well .where are all those children right groups?/ This is a politically motivated case . How did they let her go while she is a child ? How could a child go without any adult. Many questions around this case

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 24 February 2024 04:35 PM

Do not play baby victim role here. By 15 years she should have understood the difference between the right and wrong.

Go Back to ISIS Sunday, 25 February 2024 01:14 AM

15 years know how to go to syria, be a pleasure doll of ISIS jihadi's, did multiple abortions-do you think she didnt know what she was doing, she knew it very well as this what they are taught in madrasa's. Now when they used her badly and she is of no use to these peacefuls. she wants to come back to the country which gave her asylum to escape from Bengali's. No way she deserves this punishment and should be sent back to syria or bangladesh to be bride of any maulvi.

Tissa Fernando Friday, 23 February 2024 09:42 PM

Why should UK take back the woman who wanted to be with terrorists.

White face ban would include you too Saturday, 24 February 2024 01:14 PM

Tissa with the Burger name, maybe you think you can get into white face party. You'd be kicked out of UK as soon as the racists there rise to power.

Patcitz Friday, 23 February 2024 10:08 PM

Ranil began his tactic to divert the people on racial grounds to be seated once again in the same seat in support of the US PLOT.

Jeremy Saturday, 24 February 2024 08:17 PM

I am lost. What has this story got to do with Ranil?

B Friday, 23 February 2024 10:14 PM

Think ahead....if you had brain it would have helped. Now suffer .

Sokrates Saturday, 24 February 2024 09:39 AM

Germany has allowed many Germans, men and women, who fought for IS to re-enter Germany. It is not possible to revoke German citizenship from a German. However, all returnees were brought to justice in Germany. Depending on the seriousness of the crimes they committed, they were sentenced to between one year and life imprisonment (membership in a terrorist organization 1 to 10 years, plus killings, life imprisonment).

Ganesh Saturday, 24 February 2024 11:22 AM

Wow, wonder where all these commentators were, when your own innocent brethren were prosecuted in our own country. Many of whom have disappeared without a trace. Kith and kin, hoping someday their beloved ones will return home to their loving arms. Our politicians and people were arm in arm for the Palestinian people, but were nowhere to be found since 1953, 1970, 1983, 1988/89 to 2015 and even today. A nation of Humbugs and attention grabbers.

Would not happen to her if she was white faced Saturday, 24 February 2024 01:13 PM

UK is weak minded. She does not look radicalized the way she is dressed. They can give her strict conditions on her movement until she is trustworthy or put her in jail if she has committed crimes.

Terrence K Saturday, 24 February 2024 04:39 PM

Whilst she has done a blunder at the age of 15 years being a child not knowing the gravity of her actions, why not the British government give her an opportunity to regain her british citizenship by first getting her to undergo a rehabilitation program so that she will understand the seriousness of the case which could have resulted in the national security being breached and for a certain period to monitor and keep her under observation!!!!!!!!

Navi Sunday, 25 February 2024 07:55 PM

Ask Lord Naseby, how many terrorists have been issued UK citizenship as of date.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

ISIS bride Shamima Begum loses bid to regain UK citizenship

Comments - 13

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Proposed wage hike Estate workers appreciated or trapped in election promise?

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Most Viewed in News

Foreigner injured after falling from Lotus tower

Not only on-arrival visas but online visas too should be stopped

Rupee expected to dip to Rs.310-320 range later this year: FCR

Diana under immigration radar for overstaying visa since 2014

Selectors deny favoritism in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad selection

Sri Lankan in Germany wins a Cybertruck

MIRROR CRICKET

Over 400 players to go under the hammer at LPL Auction

'Mehta Toss Rule' for Indian Premier League Playoffs

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup FanCraze Greatest Moments: The hunt begins

Game-changers and record-makers: Statistical standouts from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Match-fixing allegations Court calls for report on voice sample of Sachithra

Customs seize Mexican Methamphetamine worth Rs.100Mn through Facebook lover from Guatemala

Rathupaswala shooting Case Accused acquitted after more than ten years

UK and Sri Lanka join forces to protect marine environment

Sri Lanka to vie at Asian Relays in Thailand

Over 400 players to go under the hammer at LPL Auction

'Mehta Toss Rule' for Indian Premier League Playoffs

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup FanCraze Greatest Moments: The hunt begins