Why Is British Wife Of Ousted Syrian Leader Bashar al-Assad Barred From The UK?

The wife of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad who was ousted, Asma Assad, is coming under increased scrutiny after UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated she was “not welcome” in the UK. His declaration comes amid increasing speculations that the British government might revoke her citizenship.

Lammy said Asma Assad, who has been subjected to sanctions because of her association with the Assad regime, would not be granted permission to return to the UK.

Asma Assad’s Background

Asma Assad was born in London, UK in 1975 and reared in Britain. She, however, spends most of her life here before tying the knot to Bashar al-Assad, whose regime dominated Syria for all those decades of civil wars. And after the Syrian regime simply collapsed, both of them fled and are believed to be living there in Moscow. The loss of the capital Damascus to a coalition of rebel groups has turned the matters in Syria a notch darker, and rumors about Asma Assad’s future have gained more momentum.

In response to questions regarding a possible return to the UK, Lammy re-iterated the government’s tough stance on her status. “I’ve seen mention in the last few days about Asma Assad potentially attempting to come to the UK, and I want it confirmed that she’s a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK,” Lammy said during a session in the House of Commons on Monday evening.

Debate Over Citizenship

The British government is still in two minds over Asma Assad’s British citizenship, despite Lammy’s straight message. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also went easy on the matter stating that it was “too early” to reach conclusions on her citizenship status. He cited the rapid flow of events in Syria, adding that it is also diplomatic talk.

It’s crucially important for us to continue talking to our allies… to ensure that what happens next is peaceful,” said Starmer. He called on the UK to keep on playing its role of ensuring peace and working alongside international partners to avoid more violence and terrorism in the region.

Sanctioned since long due to having a close association with Syria’s ruling regime, it has been accused of heavy human rights violations in relation to the civil war of its country. In 2020 and 2021, the UK’s Metropolitan Police war crimes unit has received referrals related to Asma Assad but has still taken the decision to drop them.

Further complicating her potential return to the UK, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, confirmed that the government had not received any requests or contact from Asma Assad or her representatives about returning to Britain. This, along with her ongoing sanctions, throws further doubt on her chances of reintegration into society in the UK.

As Damascus fell to the rebels and the Assad regime crumbled, the whole region entered a dramatic phase. It is very uncertain what the future would be for figures closely connected to the former leader. The role of Asma Assad and her relationship with the UK would be changed due to the political climate of Syria and the international pressure that has arisen over the actions of the Assad family during the civil war.

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