Home Office asked to show Shamima Begum 'mercy' over citizenship
The Home Office has been formally asked to reconsider stripping Shamima Begum of her citizenship following the death of her son.
Monday 11 March 2019 14:59, UK
The Home Office has been asked to reconsider its decision to strip Shamima Begum of her British citizenship as a "act of mercy".
On Friday, Islamic State (IS) bride Shamima Begum's three-week old son, Jarrah, died following breathing difficulties.
A letter seen by Sky News sent by the family's lawyer to the Home Office this morning says: "We write specifically on behalf of Mrs Begum, Shamima Begum's mother to ask you to reconsider your previous decision dated 19 February 2019 to deprive her daughter Begum of her British citizenship...
"Ms Begum requests this reconsideration, as an act of mercy, on the basis of the following new information, namely the death of her newborn son."
The letter argues "it is extremely unlikely that Shamima will be in a fit state to make any rational decisions".
It says the family have been unable to contact her directly and highlights that a request for help from the government was "refused in writing".
Tasnime Akunjee, the lawyer acting on behalf of the family, told Sky News: "Following the tragic and entirely avoidable death of Shamima Begum's son, we have written to the home secretary requesting that he reconsider his original decision to strip Ms Begum of her British citizenship.
"We do this on behalf of Ms Begum's family in an urgent bid to avoid further tragedy."
The letter adds: "As far as we are aware, the British government did not ask for the views of, nor consult with the government of Bangladesh on whether Shamima held dual nationality before the decision depriving citizenship.
"You will appreciate there are immediate fears for Shamima's health and safety, and the matter is urgent."
The letter asks for a response within 24 hours.
It comes after Home Secretary Sajid Javid was criticised for not doing enough to prevent the death of the infant, who was a British citizen.
Following news of the death of Jarrah, a UK government spokesman said: "The death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family.
"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has consistently advised against travel to Syria since April 2011.
"The government will continue to do whatever we can to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and travelling to dangerous conflict zones."
When contacted by Sky News for comment in response to this letter, the Home Office said: "We do not comment on individual cases."