A new report has claimed that millions of Muslims could lose their citizenship in Britain. The report has warned that the UK’s “secretive” powers are putting British Muslims at risk of losing their nationality.
The Runnymede Trust and Reprieve published a report on Thursday on the issue. It states that around nine million people in the UK, nearly 13 per cent of the population, may lose their citizenship.
Middle East Eye: UK can revoke citizenship
The report claims that the process is highly “secretive” and that British Muslims will be impacted the most. According to a report by Middle East Eye, Britain’s Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, who is also a Muslim, has the power to revoke the nationality of any individual. It is believed that Muslims could be sent to their countries of origin.
Muslims fear repeat of Windrush scandal
Campaigners opposing citizenship deprivation said that people of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African origin may be the most affected, with their nationality at risk. Both organisations have warned that the “deprivation regime” has become a threat to the Muslim community. They said it echoes the Windrush scandal, when British citizens of Caribbean origin had their citizenship revoked and were sent back to the Caribbean. British Muslims now find themselves in a similar situation.
Millions face risk under citizenship law
According to current British law, UK citizens may lose their citizenship if the government believes they could be eligible for citizenship of another country. A Middle East Eye report says that people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Nigeria, North Africa, and the Middle East are highly likely to be impacted. Many Muslims from these regions migrated to the UK and now form a significant proportion of the Muslim community in the country.
Previous govt used citizenship powers
This is not happening for the first time, as similar actions took place under the previous Conservative government. Maya Foa of Reprieve told Middle East Eye that the British government had taken away the citizenship of victims of human trafficking for political gain. Foa said that nine million people have every reason to worry.
According to Middle East Eye, India’s 984,000 citizens, Pakistan’s 679,000 citizens, and a large number of Bangladeshi citizens may be affected.
