ISIS Bride Shamima Begum Should Be Allowed Back to the UK, Review Finds
The counter-terrorism review by the Independent Commission on UK Counterterrorism recommends that Shamima Begum and other British-linked individuals detained in northeast Syria should be permitted to return to the UK.
Risks of Detention Camps in Syria
The report warns that detention camps such as Al Hol and Al Roj risk becoming "Britain's Guantanamo" due to the ongoing indefinite holding of British nationals abroad.
“Leaving her and those in similar situations in limbo was 'unsustainable' and threatens to turn detention camps in northeastern Syria into 'Britain's Guantanamo.'”
Conditions in the Camps
The camps' conditions are described as “inhuman and degrading treatment,” raising serious human rights concerns.
Legal and Human Rights Obligations
The report highlights that detaining British-linked individuals in these camps instead of repatriating them conflicts with the UK’s international human rights duties.
“Detaining British-linked people to live in these sites instead of letting them come back into Britain is 'inconsistent' with the UK's international human rights obligations.”
Recommendations for Repatriation
- The government should facilitate voluntary repatriation for British nationals, including those stripped of citizenship.
- A special envoy should be appointed to manage the repatriation process and inform returnees about the potential for prosecution.
“The government should facilitate the voluntary repatriation for British nationals, including those deprived of British nationality. It should appoint a special envoy to oversee repatriation and inform returnees of the likelihood of prosecution.”
Background on Shamima Begum
Begum left east London at 15 to join the Islamic State, highlighting challenges around repatriating individuals who joined extremist groups as minors.
Author’s summary: The UK review stresses repatriating British nationals from Syrian camps is urgent to uphold human rights and prevent camps from becoming indefinite detention centers.