October 25, 2024 - United Kingdom

Women Press Freedom is alarmed by the ongoing delay in British citizenship for Syrian journalist Zaina Erhaim, who has lived in exile in the UK since 2017 after facing severe targeting by the Syrian regime for her journalism. Although she applied for citizenship over a year ago, with processing typically completed within six months, the Home Office has cited undisclosed “agency” enquiries, offering no clear timeline. Erhaim’s case exemplifies transnational repression, with concerns of potential Syrian interference.

In 2024, WPF documented 67 instances of transnational repression, a significant rise from 19 cases in 2023. Notably, the majority of targeted women journalists live in Europe, with two cases in the U.S. These violations are frequently carried out by authoritarian regimes, including Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iran, Turkey, Ethiopia, Malaysia, and Venezuela.

We are particularly concerned that these delays may compromise her safety and threaten her residence status in the UK. Her passport was previously confiscated by UK border officials in 2016, at Syria's request, and she was briefly detained upon re-entry for an award.

Women Press Freedom calls on UK authorities to expedite Erhaim’s citizenship process, maintain transparency, and assure the public that no Syrian influence is impacting her assessment, which began on October 1, 2023. Western nations, committed to protecting human rights, must uphold these values by ensuring the safety of journalists who speak truth to power.