WITH the emergence of transnational jihadi networks and global militant outfits like Al Qaeda and the self-styled Islamic State group, questions of dealing with captured terrorists and their dependents have arisen, especially when they hold nationalities of Western states. To put it bluntly, these individuals are unwanted by their countries of origin, and due to their involvement in militant activities other states are unwilling to take them in. While some fighters are hardcore militants and need to be prosecuted, the question of underage fighters, ‘jihadi wives’ and children of militants is far trickier. One method that some Western states have adopted to get rid of unwanted citizens involved in militancy is to strip them of their citizenship; in a high-profile case, the UK recently revoked the citizenship of Shamima Begum, a woman who left Britain to join IS when she was 15. In fact, as a conference held recently in The Hague was told, the UK has revoked the nationality of 100 individuals in 2017. But stripping people of their citizenship is hardly a viable way of countering terrorism and extremism; in fact, it may add to the problem by increasing feelings of alienation. As a former Bahraini lawmaker who was stripped of his citizenship by the sheikhdom told the conclave, states can use the revocation of citizenship as a political tool to punish opponents and critics.

Indeed, hardcore militants who indulge in violence and terrorism need to be punished. However, for underage recruits of jihadi groups and others who may have been swept away by emotions, along with punitive measures rehabilitation is also important. Simply revoking the nationality of such individuals is akin to passing the buck. The fact is that many of those drawn to extremist groups from Europe and elsewhere have failed to integrate in their home societies, or have been ignored by the state. So instead of tackling the issue of integration and helping ‘mainstream’ individuals, states pretend that the problem does not exist by wresting people’s citizenship from them. Once individuals have been deprived of their nationality, their resentment towards society will only grow, and they may return to extremism and militancy. Instead of simply cancelling their citizenship, a combination of punitive measures and reformative efforts should be implemented by Western states whose denizens have gone abroad to participate in ‘jihad’. Leaving such individuals stateless will only add to global security concerns.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2019