Bahrain’s Interior Ministry announced on April 30, 2026, the revocation of citizenship for 69 individuals accused of sympathizing with Iran during the ongoing Middle East war. This significant action marks an escalation in the government’s efforts to suppress political dissent amidst heightened regional tensions.
The Bahraini government claims these individuals glorified or engaged in contacts with external parties linked to hostile Iranian acts. The ministry stated, “The Bahraini nationality has been revoked from those individuals for glorifying or sympathising with the hostile Iranian acts, or engaging in contacts with external parties.” This decision aligns with the Bahraini Citizenship Act of 1963, which grants authorities broad powers to revoke citizenship for national security reasons.
This recent revocation is part of a larger trend; since 2012, Bahrain has stripped at least 990 nationals of their citizenship, often during periods of political unrest. Human rights groups argue these actions are politically motivated and serve to silence dissenting voices within the country.
The law was amended in 2014 to allow for citizenship revocation if individuals are deemed to have caused damage to the interests of the kingdom. Critics like Sayed Ahmed AlWadaei from the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (Bird) assert that Bahrain is using the regional conflict as a pretext to define who is considered Bahraini and eliminate opposition.
Key statistics:
- Bahrain has revoked citizenship from at least 990 nationals between 2012 and 2019.
- As of April 10, 2026, at least 286 people have been detained since the beginning of the war.
- The recent revocation affects 69 individuals.
AlWadaei emphasized that in a repressive state, laws are manipulated to serve the interests of those in power. He noted, “The rule of law does not dictate what the government can do; rather, the government decides what the rule of law is such that they can do as they please.” This situation raises serious concerns about human rights violations and the treatment of political dissenters in Bahrain.
The implications for those affected are dire—losing citizenship often leads to statelessness and denial of access to essential public services. As tensions continue to rise in the region, many fear that these actions will only exacerbate existing divisions within Bahraini society.
