Iran’s High Council for Human Rights on Sunday, May 10, 2026, strongly condemned Bahrain’s decision to revoke the citizenship of 69 people, describing the act as "collective punishment." The Council expressed its "deep concern" over the move, which it labeled "illegal and arbitrary." This "illegal and arbitrary" act, according to the council, amounted to "collective punishment" against civilians, affecting a wide range of individuals within Bahraini society. The Bahraini Interior Ministry stated it had revoked the citizenship of these individuals and their families for "expressing support for Iran (retaliatory) attacks" and "glorifying and sympathizing with" actions that "undermined the national security by publication of contents online, which caused instability and jeopardized public order." Iran’s High Council for Human Rights countered that the "forced denationalization" was carried out "without any judicial procedures, without legal investigations, outside the jurisdiction of the judiciary, and solely based on the order of the king of Bahrain," extending even to "children and infants." The council noted that those stripped of citizenship include clerics, eulogists, social activists, women, men, and even children and infants, showing the broad impact of the measure. The Council asserted that such actions are not permissible "in any civilized legal system," and are reminiscent of "inhumane conduct in totalitarian systems."
Bahrain's Justification for Action
The Bahraini Interior Ministry stated the revocation of citizenship was due to individuals "expressing support for Iran (retaliatory) attacks" against US and Israeli military assets across West Asia amid what it described as a war of aggression against the Islamic Republic. The ministry clarified that these individuals had published posts on social media platforms that were "glorifying and sympathizing with" regional resistance movements. The ministry further claimed that those stripped of citizenship "undermined the national security by publication of contents online, which caused instability and jeopardized public order." This justification from the Bahraini Interior Ministry directly addressed the actions prompting the mass revocation, framing them as a matter of national security. The ministry's statement emphasized the perceived threat posed by these online activities, asserting that they contributed to instability and jeopardized public order within the kingdom. The decision to revoke citizenship, according to Bahraini authorities, was a necessary measure to counteract what they viewed as subversive behavior detrimental to the nation's stability and security interests. The ministry did not provide specific details about the individuals or the exact content of their online posts, but maintained that their actions warranted such a severe response.
Iran's Human Rights Council Denounces Move
Iran’s High Council for Human Rights labeled Bahrain’s mass citizenship revocation as an "illegal and arbitrary" act, asserting it amounted to "collective punishment" against civilians. The council stated that individuals stripped of their citizenship included clerics, eulogists, social activists, women, men, and "even children and infants." According to the council, these individuals were deprived of their nationality "without any judicial procedures, without legal investigations, outside the jurisdiction of the judiciary, and solely based on the order of the king of Bahrain." This bypass of established legal processes, the council argued, rendered the revocations illegitimate and a profound violation of fundamental human rights. The fact that the decision was made solely by royal decree, rather than through a transparent and impartial judicial review, was a central point of contention for the Iranian body.
The council noted that Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly states that "no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality." This international legal principle, enshrined in a foundational document of human rights, serves as a cornerstone for the council's condemnation. The arbitrary nature of Bahrain's decision, particularly without due process, was presented as a clear contravention of this universally recognized right. Iran’s High Council for Human Rights further stated that the inclusion of infants in the revocations violated international human rights standards, characterizing it as "forced denationalization" and "collective punishment." The council showed the particular vulnerability of children and infants, arguing that their deprivation of nationality, often without any personal agency or culpability, represents an especially egregious breach of humanitarian principles. This aspect of the revocations drew strong criticism, as it impacts individuals who cannot be held responsible for any alleged actions of their parents or guardians. The council stressed that such measures have long-term, devastating consequences for those affected, effectively rendering them stateless and stripping them of basic rights and access to services.
The council denounced Bahrain for allegedly using accusations of "support for Iran" or "espionage for foreign entities" as pretexts to suppress dissent and systematically violate civil rights. The council suggested that these broad allegations serve as convenient justifications for a wider campaign to silence opposition and curb freedoms within the kingdom. This pattern, according to the council, points to a deliberate strategy to marginalize and punish individuals perceived as disloyal or critical of the government, rather than addressing genuine security concerns through legitimate legal channels. The council further commented, "Such a repressive approach is reminiscent of inhumane conduct in totalitarian systems and completely undermines the credibility of any claim to the rule of law in Bahrain." This strong language reflects the council's view that Bahrain's actions are characteristic of authoritarian regimes, where legal frameworks are manipulated to serve political ends rather than uphold justice. Iran’s High Council for Human Rights urged Bahrain to restore the citizenship of all affected individuals "without delay," particularly emphasizing children and infants. The council's call for immediate restoration of citizenship shows the urgency it attaches to rectifying what it perceives as a grave injustice. The specific mention of children and infants notes their particular vulnerability and the profound impact of statelessness on their future. The council also called for Bahraini officials responsible for the measure to be identified as "gross violators of human rights." This demand for accountability suggests a desire to see those behind the policy face international scrutiny and potential repercussions for their role in the mass revocations, reinforcing the idea that such actions should not go unpunished.
International Calls and Future Actions
The council called on UN human rights bodies, the Human Rights Council, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to formally and immediately condemn Bahrain’s action. This full appeal to various international and regional organizations demonstrates Iran's intent to elevate the issue to a global platform, seeking broad-based condemnation and intervention. The inclusion of the Committee on the Rights of the Child specifically notes the council's deep concern over the impact of the revocations on the youngest victims. By urging these influential bodies to act "formally and immediately," Iran aims to exert maximum diplomatic pressure on Bahrain and ensure that the issue receives prompt and serious attention. Iran, through its High Council for Human Rights, reserved its right to pursue the matter in international forums. This statement signifies Iran's readiness to take further legal and diplomatic steps should Bahrain fail to reverse its decision, indicating a long-term commitment to challenging the revocations. The reservation of this right suggests that Iran may consider bringing the case before international courts or other relevant bodies, emphasizing the gravity with which it views Bahrain's actions. The council believes that the international community has a responsibility to uphold human rights principles and prevent states from arbitrarily stripping their citizens of nationality, especially when it affects vulnerable populations.
