UK: Supreme Court refuses to hear Shamima Begum's appeal against 'profoundly wrong' citizenship stripping

Responding to news that the Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal against a decision to revoke Shamima Begum’s citizenship, Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Director, said:

“It's deeply concerning that the Supreme Court has concluded there's no point of law to be considered on such a serious matter as stripping a British person of her citizenship - particularly when that was done on the back of her being exploited as a 15-year-old child.

“Stripping Shamima Begum’s nationality was profoundly wrong - she is and has always been British.

“Begum is now exiled in dangerous and inhuman conditions, along with thousands of other people, including women and children, in north-east Syria.

“The UK should follow others by taking responsibility for nationals stranded in Syria - including by assisting in their safe return to the UK, whether or not that means facing possible criminal investigation or prosecution on their return.”

For more information on the camps in north-east Syria, see here.