The Court of Appeal has ruled that Shamima Begum can return to the UK to challenge the Home Office’s revocation of her British citizenship. Now 20 years old, Begum was 15 when she left her home in London to join the “Islamic State” group in Syria, along with two other schoolgirls. In a unanimous ruling, three judges on the court ruled that the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) should hear her case again, arguing that Siac had not assessed the “risk of transfer to Iraq and Bangladesh and mistreatment there”. One of the judges, Lord Justice Flaux, claimed, “Fairness and justice must, on the facts of this case, outweigh the national security concerns.”
Begum’s lawyer, Daniel Furner, said the decision will allow her to “give her side of the story,” claiming that revoking her citizenship without a chance to clear her name is the “opposite” of justice. However, the government will apply for permission to appeal against the ruling, with a Home Office spokesperson calling it a “very disappointing decision by the court”. If Begum does end up returning to the UK, she may be charged with terror offences.
Written by Sufia J
Artwork by Zara Masood
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