A new conflict is on the horizon regarding Shamima Begum as there are indications that she might be released from a Syrian detention camp in the coming days.
The 26-year-old former ISIS bride is pushing for permission to return to the UK. However, the Government is adamant about opposing her reentry.
Born in London, Ms. Begum, who left to join ISIS at the age of 15, had her British citizenship revoked in 2019. Her legal team argues that she was manipulated and exploited for sexual purposes at a young age. The European Court of Human Rights has asked the UK for explanations regarding the contentious decision to strip her citizenship.
Recently, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood affirmed a robust defense of this decision, stating that the UK government has already extensively litigated the case up to the Supreme Court. She emphasized that there will be no change in their stance and they will vigorously defend their position at the European Court of Human Rights.
Questions remain about Ms. Begum’s next destination. With the Syrian government announcing a ceasefire with the Syrian Democratic Forces, the country has largely come under their control, dismantling the Kurdish-led forces that had dominion over the northeast for many years.
It is believed that approximately 10 British men, 20 women, and 40 children are detained in facilities in northern Syria, with Ms. Begum reportedly located in the al-Roj camp.
Former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve contends that the UK bears responsibility for Begum. Moreover, both ex-Tory Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Labour peer Alf Dubs, who survived the Nazis as a child, have criticized the decision to revoke her citizenship.
Judges in Strasbourg have raised queries about whether the UK authorities should have considered if Ms. Begum was a victim of trafficking. Lawyer Gareth Peirce has highlighted the failures to protect her as a child at high risk of exploitation.
Ms. Begum, now 26, ventured to Syria in 2015 with two school friends, Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana, both of whom have reportedly passed away.