The report “Statelessness in Bahrain: Its Effect on Identity and Belonging” offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the profound impact that the revocation of citizenship has on individuals in Bahrain. It delves into the social, legal, and psychological dimensions of statelessness, focusing on how losing nationality not only strips people of their legal rights but also deeply affects their sense of identity and belonging.
Through detailed case studies, the report examines the lives of prominent figures such as Dr. Abdul Hadi Khalaf, Jawad Fairooz, and Ebrahim Alaradi, who have had their citizenship revoked due to their political activism and opposition to the Bahraini government. These individuals provide personal insights into how the loss of nationality has impacted their ability to continue their advocacy work, their personal safety, and their connection to their homeland.
The report also includes interviews with stateless individuals of Persian origin in Bahrain, shedding light on the systemic ethnic and religious discrimination that underpins many cases of statelessness in the country. These narratives highlight the social isolation and psychological trauma experienced by those who are born stateless or have had their nationality revoked.
In addition to personal testimonies, the report analyzes the legal framework that allows the Bahraini government to arbitrarily revoke citizenship, often to suppress dissent. It critiques the use of legal instruments to enforce political repression and calls for reforms to protect the right to nationality as enshrined in international human rights law.
The report concludes with a set of recommendations aimed at the Bahraini government, urging it to end the practice of arbitrary citizenship revocation, restore citizenship to those affected, and adhere to international conventions on statelessness. It emphasizes that the issue of statelessness in Bahrain is not just a legal problem but a human rights crisis that undermines individuals’ fundamental dignity and identity.
The issue of withdrawing citizenship in Bahrain is not just a legal issue; it touches the essence of the human being and his right to identity and belonging and requires immediate action to ensure justice and dignity for all and confront these oppressive practices.
The Report in Arabic Here The Report in English Here