She joined ISIS in 2015…and her lawyers intend to appeal again
Yesterday, the British judiciary confirmed the ruling to strip the young woman, Shamima Begum, who had gone to Syria in 2015 to join the “ISIS” organization, of her British citizenship.
London had stripped Begum of her British citizenship in 2019, citing national security concerns in a case that particularly affected public opinion, due to her young age. But Shamima Begum, now 23 and still in Syria, has appealed the decision.
Her appeal has been rejected in its entirety, said Robert Morris, judge at the High Court of Justice of the Courts of England and Wales. Her legal team said the case was “not over yet” and the decision will be appealed, according to the BBC.
Begum had traveled to join ISIS when she was 15 years old. She gave birth to 3 children, all of whom died after marrying an ISIS fighter.
Lawyers for the British government argue that the ruling to strip her of British citizenship will not make her stateless, given that her parents hold Bangladeshi citizenship and she can therefore apply for that citizenship. Dhaka refused to take Begum because she had never applied for her nationality.
The British judiciary refuses to restore citizenship to Shamima Begum