Topical Taboo: Shamima Begum
- Taboo
- Feb 28, 2019
- 3 min read
The case of Shamima Begum has raised many interesting ethical and legal questions. At what point is it acceptable to revoke someone's citizenship? Is someone who joined ISIS at 15 wholly responsible for their actions? Here at Taboo, we have been exploring the opinions and debate surrounding whether she should return.
At the age of 15, Shamima Begum left the UK to join ISIS. Now, at the age of 19, she would like to return. It has been widely reported that during her time in Syria, Shamima was married to an ISIS fighter and had several children who passed away.
Recently, she made it clear that she would like to return to the UK. At the time of her first media appearances (in which she discussed her desire to return), she was pregnant and she has since given birth to a boy.
Since her press interviews, there has been a frenzy of opinions expressed online, in print and on television. Various points have been made - some supporting her return and others criticising her choices and opposing her return. While some argue that she was a child when she joined ISIS, others say she was old enough to understand what she was doing and that joining a terrorist group is not simply a childish mistake.
Though there is merit to both sides of the argument, a decision must be made. Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, sent a letter to her family who are still in the UK. In the document, he informed the family that he had made an order under the British Nationality Act of 1981 to revoke her British citizenship. The family have since announced that they will appeal this move.
Meanwhile, debate online is fierce. There is a multitude of opinions being raised, and valid points being made both for and against Ms Begum's return.
One argument is that she left aged 15, fully in control of her own actions and above the age of criminal responsibility. She knew where she was going and what she was joining. In media interviews she has defended some of the actions of ISIS including terror attacks on British citizens. Being forced to stay in Syria is the punishment for those actions.
On the other hand, this is a young girl who was groomed and radicalised in the UK and should face the punishment through our legal system. However much some want to deny it, she is a product of Britain and this country needs to take responsibility. Why should another country, that is struggling to take care of its own citizens, be forced to look after someone who is not theirs?
One key point that also has to be weighed up is her child. He has not chosen this life. Should he be punished for his mother and father's actions?
If he is allowed into the UK, whether that is with Ms Begum or without, he will be incredibly vulnerable - and care will need to be taken to decide where he will live in the UK whether that is with family or the care system.
Ms Begum is a young girl who has spent her formative years being brainwashed by a terrorist organisation. How far she truly believes in the group is an unknown, as are her motives for wanting to return to the UK now.
It is an ugly situation that is being muddied by hundreds of #ShamimaBegum memes and hatred online. Most recently, another angle of debate has arisen due to a shooting range in Merseyside using a photo of Ms Begum as a target.
This conversation is not likely to disappear anytime soon, and during the midst of severe political uncertainty, the legality and ethics of making a British citizen stateless are still being weighed up.
Ms Begum is 19-years-old. Her future completely altered four years ago when she made the choice to join ISIS. Back then, her future was in her own hands.
Now, her future and that of her newborn son lies solely in the hands of governments. And that could be a future Ms Begum would not have chosen.
It is near impossible to come to a conclusion about what should happen to Shamima Begum. However, here at Taboo we want to hear your opinions on this topic.
Are the British government justified in revoking her citizenship or should she face justice in this country?
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