Bahrain has revoked citizenship from 69 individuals for allegedly sympathizing with Iran during the ongoing Middle East war. The Interior Ministry announced the move via social media, stating that those affected glorified hostile Iranian acts.
The Bahraini government claims this revocation is a legal measure under the Bahraini Citizenship Act of 1963. This act allows the government to revoke citizenship on national security grounds. The law was amended in 2014 to include revocation for causing damage to the interests of the kingdom.
Human rights groups view the revocations as politically motivated punishments. They argue that these actions target dissenters, particularly among Shia Muslims and those with Iranian heritage. The consequences of losing citizenship include becoming stateless and losing access to public services.
The Bahraini Interior Ministry stated: “The Bahraini nationality has been revoked from those individuals for glorifying or sympathising with the hostile Iranian acts, or engaging in contacts with external parties.”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 statement reflects the government’s stance on national security.
Since 2012, Bahrain has stripped at least 990 nationals of their citizenship. These revocations typically spike during periods of political tension or regional conflict. As of April 10, 2026, at least 286 people have been detained since the start of the war.
Sayed Ahmed AlWadaei from the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy criticized the government’s actions. He stated, “Bahrain is using the regional conflict as a pretext to both eliminate dissent and to define who is considered Bahraini.” He emphasized that in a repressive state, legal statutes serve to advance the ruling family’s interests.
The situation in Bahrain raises significant concerns regarding human rights violations amid an increasingly volatile political landscape. The next developments may further illustrate how national security measures are being utilized against political dissenters.
