UK Government Fails to Address Shamima Begum Conundrum as Public Opinion Shifts
The UK government's inaction on Shamima Begum, the 26-year-old woman stripped of her citizenship over her links to ISIS, has been ongoing for years. While a majority of people still oppose allowing her back into the country, public opinion appears to have shifted since 2019.
In 2019, when Home Secretary Sajid Javid revoked Begum's UK citizenship, 76% of people backed the move. However, in November 2025, an equivalent poll found that two-thirds of people now think she should not be allowed back in the UK. This shift in public opinion suggests that ministers cannot simply ignore the issue.
Moreover, a report by a commission of senior UK lawyers has highlighted that the government's refusal to repatriate most British nationals still living in camps for former ISIS members and their families is becoming "untenable". The report estimated that between 55 and 72 people with links to the UK remain in the camps, including around 30-40 children, living in "inhuman" conditions.
The second reason why ministers cannot ignore the Shamima Begum case is that it raises legitimate human rights concerns. Even if one argues that Begum was old enough to understand the implications of joining ISIS, the UK has never sought to hold her accountable for her actions. The country's lack of action in this regard contrasts with its stance on citizens who have migrant heritage.
The Begum case also highlights a broader political issue: what does it mean for the rights of Britons with migrant heritage? Ministers' ability to strip citizenship from individuals, such as Shamima Begum, is conditional on them being connected to serious organized crime or terrorism. However, this principle may not hold for those without an overseas background.
As Robert Ford, a professor of political science at Manchester University, notes, if the government wants to tackle the issue of citizenship, it should do so on the grounds that citizenship is a right that cannot be revoked unless it poses a threat to public good. The example of Shamima Begum, however, may not be the best way to advance this argument.
Ultimately, the UK government must address the Shamima Begum conundrum and provide clarity on its stance regarding citizenship, particularly for individuals with migrant heritage.
The UK government's inaction on Shamima Begum, the 26-year-old woman stripped of her citizenship over her links to ISIS, has been ongoing for years. While a majority of people still oppose allowing her back into the country, public opinion appears to have shifted since 2019.
In 2019, when Home Secretary Sajid Javid revoked Begum's UK citizenship, 76% of people backed the move. However, in November 2025, an equivalent poll found that two-thirds of people now think she should not be allowed back in the UK. This shift in public opinion suggests that ministers cannot simply ignore the issue.
Moreover, a report by a commission of senior UK lawyers has highlighted that the government's refusal to repatriate most British nationals still living in camps for former ISIS members and their families is becoming "untenable". The report estimated that between 55 and 72 people with links to the UK remain in the camps, including around 30-40 children, living in "inhuman" conditions.
The second reason why ministers cannot ignore the Shamima Begum case is that it raises legitimate human rights concerns. Even if one argues that Begum was old enough to understand the implications of joining ISIS, the UK has never sought to hold her accountable for her actions. The country's lack of action in this regard contrasts with its stance on citizens who have migrant heritage.
The Begum case also highlights a broader political issue: what does it mean for the rights of Britons with migrant heritage? Ministers' ability to strip citizenship from individuals, such as Shamima Begum, is conditional on them being connected to serious organized crime or terrorism. However, this principle may not hold for those without an overseas background.
As Robert Ford, a professor of political science at Manchester University, notes, if the government wants to tackle the issue of citizenship, it should do so on the grounds that citizenship is a right that cannot be revoked unless it poses a threat to public good. The example of Shamima Begum, however, may not be the best way to advance this argument.
Ultimately, the UK government must address the Shamima Begum conundrum and provide clarity on its stance regarding citizenship, particularly for individuals with migrant heritage.
. I mean, it's not like we're asking for her to be set free or anything, just a bit of understanding considering she was only 15 when she joined ISIS 
. And can we talk about the state of those camps? Inhuman conditions are no joke 
. I think it's time the government got its act together and figured out what they want to do with Begum. It's like, strip her of citizenship one minute, then try to bring her back another 
. Make a decision already! 
. I mean, 2/3 of people now think she shouldn't be allowed back, which is a pretty big shift from 2019 
. And it's not just about her - all these other Brits living in camps with their families is just really sad 
. 55-72 people with ties to the UK still stuck there? That's unacceptable! 
... meanwhile begum's kids are living in squalor 
... like, whats the priority here? 
.. maybe gov should take a page out of their own book and make an example outta someone else who got caught up in isis 
.. that way they can say "look, we're taking action" 
... or maybe just leave begum alone and focus on getting all the others outta those camps 
They're not just talking about it anymore, people are actually demanding answers now 
Its like, she's been living in a camp for years, its inhuman conditions... how much more proof do we need? 
The gov needs to come up with some solid reasons why Begum's citizenship shouldn't be reinstated and also clear up the whole thing about Brits with migrant heritage 
. If they're gonna strip someone of their citizenship, they need to have a solid reason for it, not just because they were involved in something sketchy.
i mean, what's the principle here? if we strip someone's rights over terrorism but not over being born with a migrant background... sounds like selective justice to me 
i need a source on this report from those senior uk lawyers tho 
. and btw, 55-72 people living in camps with their families is just unacceptable 
. we need some answers here 
. On one hand, I can understand why they might be hesitant to welcome Begum back into the country given her history with ISIS, but at the same time, not addressing the situation altogether seems like a cop-out 
. Perhaps a more constructive approach would involve finding ways to support those affected by Begum's situation, rather than simply trying to stick to a rigid policy 
.
. After all, the country prides itself on being a haven for those seeking refuge and asylum, yet it seems reluctant to extend that same kindness to Begum 
. The fact that there are still Brits stuck in camps with their families is just horrific 
. We need to get some answers on what's going on here and how the government plans to handle people like Shamima Begum in the future 
.
? it's not like she was just chillin' in a ISIS camp all these years without any consequences... meanwhile, the gov is still dodging the issue and leaving those poor kids living in "inhuman" conditions 
and lets be real, 2/3 of people now think shams should come back to the uk 
. I think the gov needs to take responsibility for its actions and figure out what they want to do with this situation. They can't just ignore it or pretend like it's someone else's problem 
and honestly i wish shamina begum would get some answers too, it's like she's just been left hanging 
.
and I'm still reeling from trying all those crazy spicy ramen bowls 
. Anyway, back to Shamima Begum... I'm not sure what's more concerning, the fact that she might be allowed back into the UK or the conditions in those camps for former ISIS members and their families