on: Shamima Begum
In 2015, 15-year-old, Shamima Begum, decided to leave London to join the Islamic State group in Syria. Only to show up four years later in a refugee camp, following the “defeat” of ISIS. The British Home Office revoked her citizenship, without fair trial, but she has recently fought to appeal this decision, and won – now able to return to the UK to fight for citizenship. There is uproar all over social media forums as anger gushes onto this woman, this girl, and the decision to let her return for a trial in British courts. It is my opinion that Begum deserves a fair trial, not because she is without fault, but because she is British.
Shamima was a 15-year-old girl when she left London. She made a foolish mistake that possibly ruined her life when she joined ISIS. But I don’t know any 15-year-olds that are able to make completely rational decisions about their lives, especially when being indoctrinated, radicalised, and groomed. Shamima is now 20, and is living in Camp Roj in northern Syria, with no hope apart from a return to the UK. She has made mistakes, possibly criminal ones. And many are of the opinion that she doesn’t deserve the justice that she is requesting. That she has gone “too far” and should rot in refugee camps as punishment for her teenage sins.
There are many arguments I have seen as to why people don’t want Begum to be allowed to appeal the decision to revoke her citizenship. Tax money will pay for this. There is the threat that she could be an informant for ISIS. She hated the UK enough to move to Syria. She seems unrepentant. But none of that matters in relation to the question of whether or not she is British. Shamima Begum was born in England. She IS British. Last year, her citizenship was revoked without a fair hearing in the UK. She was unjustly excommunicated. I understand that she might very well be a criminal and might suffer consequences as a result of her actions. Whatever her possible crimes, Shamima has the right to a fair trial, because she is British. And British citizens, regardless of their crimes, deserve justice.
This is not “just another decision” that the courts have made. It is precedent setting. It would be frightening if the government held power to revoke citizenship without a fair trial. Tyrannical to some degree.
What I have been blown away by is the passionate hatred on social media, specifically Twitter (which I am becoming obsessed with). Men and women, mostly white, have slated Begum from every angle. The irony is that the hatred that led Begum to leave her home country, is the same hatred that is damning her now. She is being judged for her hate, by people that hate. Fascinating. And slightly disgusting.
I am sure that people fall very strongly on either side of this argument. I respect your opinion, regardless if you agree/disagree. But I hope we can each step away and evaluate any hatred in our own hearts lest it becomes unbridled disgust which leads to lethal action.