Shamima Begum's family challenge Javid over citizenship decision

BRITISH teenager Shamima Begum's family is formally challenging home secretary Sajid Javid's decision to strip her of her citizenship.

Tasnime Akunjee, the family's solicitor, said the UK government's decision breaks several articles of the European convention on human rights.

“We are arguing the decision is wrong because it renders Shamima Begum stateless, it puts her life at risk, exposes her to inhumane and degrading treatment, and breaches her right to family life,” he was quoted as saying.

“The decision was disproportionate. To strip her citizenship, the home secretary has to balance the risk she poses versus the effect on her. It endangers her life, her child died, and we know she was threatened by Isis (Daesh) supporters in the camp and had to be moved.

“In her camp another family had their tent burnt down, killing their children.”

Begum left the UK for Syria in 2015 after being radicalised online. She was 15 at the time.

She went on to marry a Dutch terrorist fighter and had three children, all of whom have died.

Begum's family claims that Javid's decision to strip Begum of her citizenship is unfair as hundreds of other UK citizens who went to Daesh (Islamic State) have been allowed back into Britain.

“The government has accepted that 400 people have picked up a gun and actively fought for Isis and then been allowed back to Britain,” Akunjee said.

“So how can it be proportionate for a 19-year-old girl who had a child not to be allowed to return, when the others have been allowed to return?”