Shamima Begum Loses Appeal Against Loss Of UK Citizenship

Begum was one of three London school girls who fled to Syria in 2015 to join Islamic State. (Screengrab via YouTube/5 News)

Shamima Begum’s appeal to have her British citizenship reinstated was dismissed Friday after the Court of Appeal siding with the Special Immigration Appeals Commission’s prior ruling.

Begum, from East London girl, made headlines at 15 by fleeing to Syria to join Islamic State and had her citizenship revoked in 2019 after she was found in a refugee camp.

On Friday, the court’s judges considering her appeal, led by Dame Sue Carr, concluded that despite being “manipulated by others” in a way that led her to ISIS but the legality of the revocation was sound.

The judge 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.

She added: “The only task of the court was to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful. Since it was not, Ms Begum’s appeal is dismissed.”

Begum’s case has been the subject of much legal and moral debate. Now 24-years-old she remains in a refugee camp in northern Syria. She has no citizenship status with any nation.

Her legal team argued that the UK failed to consider Begum as a trafficking victim. Yet, the Home Office maintains the stance that national security trumps all, painting Begum as a threat.

Following the ruling Begum’s solicitor promised to continue the fight for her return, suggesting the possibility of escalating the case to the Supreme Court.