Ruling on Shamima Begum exposes the complicity of courts commentators and politicians in the rise of authoritarian laws.

London - The latest ruling by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) on the lawfulness of Shamima Begum’s <a href="https://www.cage.ngo/citizenship-deprivations-what-you-need-to-know">revocation of citizenship</a> reveals a flawed system that legitimises secret evidence and denies people the right to due process. Although SIAC acknowledged that Shamima Begum was a victim of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, the Court accepted it had no power but to rubber stamp a highly political and racially motivated decision by the Home Office to revoke her citizenship. The case has always had little to do with national security. The citizenship deprivation policy is crafted towards exploiting <a href="https://www.cage.ngo/citizenship-deprivation-the-legacy-of-tony-blairs-desperation-to-deport-one-british-man">Islamophobic and racist sentiments</a> for political gain rather than a genuine concern for the country’s safety and security. The tragedy of the shocking treatment of a young, vulnerable and desperate woman, illustrates that national security arguments have been abused and require to be subject to public scrutiny. <strong>Anas Mustapha, Head of Public Advocacy at CAGE said:</strong> “Throughout the last two decades politicians from the left and right, including centrist and liberal commentators, have been complicit in allowing the growth of authoritarian powers as they seemingly only targeted Muslims and marginalised groups. The absence of any outcry has now come back to haunt all sections of society.” “The Shamima Begum case demonstrates clearly that we have a two tier citizenship policy in the UK, and this is only the tip of a destructive and cruel iceberg.” “The UK has become the only Western and European state to refuse the repatriation of its nationals, opting to revoke their citizenships instead. This is a total abdication of responsibility that undermines the rule of law, the right to due process and fair representation.