Shamima Begum: European court questions UK over citizenship removal

The European court of human rights has questioned the UK government over its 2019 decision to remove Shamima Begum’s British citizenship, raising concerns about how her case aligns with the UK’s obligations to victims of trafficking.

European court intervention

Lawyers at the European court have asked the UK Home Office to explain whether it considered Shamima Begum’s potential status as a victim of trafficking before revoking her citizenship. The questions relate to article 4 of the European convention on human rights, which prohibits slavery and forced labour. Judges in Strasbourg asked whether the home secretary had a positive obligation to assess trafficking issues and any resulting duties before making the decision.

Background to the case

In 2015, Shamima Begum, then 15, left her east London home with two friends to travel to territory controlled by Islamic State. She was later “married off” to an IS fighter and had three children, all of whom died in infancy. In 2019, the then home secretary Sajid Javid removed her British citizenship on national security grounds, a decision upheld by the court of appeal last year.

Legal challenge and trafficking claims

Campaigners and Shamima Begum’s lawyers argue she was a victim of child trafficking and grooming. A document published this month confirms she lodged a challenge at the European court in December 2024, after being denied the chance to appeal at the UK supreme court. Her legal team says previous UK administrations failed to consider trafficking and the state’s duties to protect a child at risk.

Political reaction in the UK

The court’s intervention has encouraged Shamima Begum’s lawyers but has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative and Reform figures. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said she had “no place” in the UK, while Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice accused the European court of interference and renewed calls to leave the treaty.

Government response

The Home Office said any decision taken to protect national security would be robustly defended. A spokesperson said Shamima Begum posed a national security threat and that revoking her citizenship was necessary to protect the UK and its citizens.

The European court of human rights has asked the UK to justify whether it met its obligations to a potential trafficking victim when stripping Shamima Begum of her citizenship. The move has reopened legal and political debate, as her lawyers press their case while the government insists the decision was essential for national security.

Thought you’d like to know

Why is the European court reviewing Shamima Begum’s case?
The European court is examining whether the UK considered its duties under article 4 of the human rights convention. This article concerns slavery, forced labour, and trafficking. The judges want to know if these issues were assessed before Shamima Begum’s citizenship was removed.

What happened to Shamima Begum’s British citizenship?
Shamima Begum’s citizenship was revoked in 2019 by then home secretary Sajid Javid. The decision was based on national security grounds. UK courts later upheld that decision.

Why do lawyers say Shamima Begum was trafficked?
Her lawyers argue she was groomed and trafficked as a 15-year-old schoolgirl. They say she was deceived into travelling to IS-controlled territory and forced into marriage. This forms the basis of her challenge at the European court.

Where is Shamima Begum now?
Shamima Begum is currently in a Syrian refugee camp. She is stateless following the removal of her British citizenship. Her legal challenge continues through the European court of human rights.

How has the UK government responded to the case?
The government says it will strongly defend its decision. Ministers maintain that Shamima Begum posed a national security threat. They argue that revoking her citizenship was necessary to protect the UK.