A lawyer claims the UK might eventually comply with US demands regarding Shamima Begum’s repatriation amid shifting political dynamics
London: A lawyer for Shamima Begum’s family thinks the UK will eventually give in to the US’s push for her return. With the new Trump administration, there’s a lot of talk about repatriating British citizens who joined ISIS.
Mohammed Tasnime Akunjee mentioned that Trump’s team is eager to cut funding for detention camps in Syria. He believes having British citizens there is a hurdle to that goal.
Akunjee pointed out that both Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Prime Minister Keir Starmer seem to change their minds often. Lammy had previously supported bringing Begum back but shifted his stance after taking office.
Despite Lammy’s initial rejection of calls from Trump’s counter-terrorism chief, Sebastian Gorka, Akunjee thinks the UK might change its mind again. He feels the UK has struggled to stand firm against US demands for a while now.
In a recent interview, Gorka emphasized that any country wanting to be a serious ally of the US should accept its citizens who joined ISIS. He believes the UK has a special relationship with the US that should be honored.
With the situation in Syria changing rapidly, the Kurdish-led forces holding ISIS members are facing new challenges. This instability could affect how these prisoners are managed.
Akunjee also noted that Trump has been clear about wanting countries to take responsibility for their citizens in these camps. He thinks the US might not want to keep funding the camps if they don’t have to.
He added that the Kurdish forces are not exactly aligned with US interests, which makes the situation even more complicated. The UK is keen to negotiate with these forces, and Akunjee believes they will eventually agree to Trump’s demands.
Meanwhile, Lammy has firmly stated that Begum will not be returning to the UK, emphasizing that British security comes first. He insists that the courts have made their decision, and she is not a UK national anymore.
Begum, who left London for ISIS territory when she was just 15, has been living in a detention camp in Syria since her citizenship was revoked in 2019. Lammy has made it clear that many in those camps are dangerous and would need to be jailed if they returned.
On the other hand, some critics argue that the UK should take responsibility for its citizens. They believe that allowing Begum to return and face justice would be a safer long-term solution.
David Davis, a Tory MP, has been vocal about this issue, stating that the UK should allow Begum and others like her to come back. He believes avoiding the problem now will only create bigger issues later.
Amnesty International’s Steve Valdez-Symonds also criticized Lammy’s stance, arguing that the UK has a duty to its citizens. He warned against the dangers of governments abandoning their nationals for political convenience.
In February 2023, a government reviewer raised concerns that the camp holding Begum could become a “Guantanamo” for the UK if she and others are not allowed to return. He warned that this could lead to radicalization among children in the camps.
