Overview
- In a formal communication, the European Court of Human Rights asked the UK to answer four questions, including whether removing Begum’s citizenship engaged Article 4 and the state’s positive obligations to a potential trafficking victim.
- Judges also queried whether deprivation functioned like a penalty, whether Begum was within the UK’s jurisdiction for Article 4 purposes, and whether the decision hindered proper investigation of possible grooming and trafficking.
- The Home Office says it will robustly defend the 2019 decision and will file submissions within months, after which Strasbourg will decide on a full hearing, with any final ruling expected to take time.
- Begum’s citizenship was revoked by then home secretary Sajid Javid on national security grounds and upheld by UK courts; she remains in the al‑Roj camp in north‑east Syria.
- Begum’s lawyers call the development an unprecedented opportunity and argue she was a trafficked 15‑year‑old, while senior Conservative and Reform figures condemn Strasbourg’s involvement as ministers signal a firm defence.