Bahrain expels three MPs after they voted against royal decree on citizenship oversight
Bahrain expels three MPs after they voted against royal decree on citizenship oversight Submitted by Rayhan Uddin on Fri, 05/08/2026 - 09:50 Lawmakers' membership revoked just days after dozens had their nationalities stripped in connection with the Iran war Manama, the capital of Bahrain (AFP) Off Bahrain’s parliament has expelled three lawmakers after they voted against a royal decree removing judicial oversight in matters of citizenship, just days after dozens had their nationalities stripped in connection with the Iran war. On Thursday morning, the Council of Representatives voted unanimously to revoke the memberships of Abdulnabi Salman, Mamdooh al-Saleh and Mahdi al-Shuwaik. They were singled out due to their dissenting votes in a parliamentary session held on 28 April. Lawmakers were discussing a royal decree issued two years ago which would remove judicial oversight on matters related to citizenship, and instead classify them as sovereign issues. This would also mean that those impacted would not be able to mount legal challenges or appeals. Thirty-three parliamentarians voted in favour, three were absent and three MPs abstained. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The dissenting MPs have faced intense criticism over the past week, including from King King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa - who appeared to threaten them with deportation. In rare remarks singling out lawmakers, the king accused the MPs of siding with “traitors”, and called on them to apologise “or to join those they chose to align with, who have left the country or been expelled”. He was referring to dozens of people who had their citizenship removed last month after being accused of sympathising with Iran. The 69 people affected include those accused of causing harm to Bahrain, as well as their dependent family members, including children. Campaigners told Middle East Eye that many of those named were not arrested or interrogated, and have no information about what caused authorities to take the decision. Bahrain revokes citizenship of 69 people in connection with Iran war Read More » In rejecting the royal decree, lawmaker Salman said that oversight was necessary to “achieve justice and a sense of fairness and trust”. He also rejected collective punishment, referring to the citizenship revocations of dependent family members. “It is true that whoever harms this country must be punished, but punishments must not be collective, God forbid, or be taken as reactions, because the matter relates to the fate, future, and trust of the people in the system and the judiciary,” Salman said. Saleh also criticised punishments being extended to family members. “What is the fault of the children and the grandchildren? They may have no guilt; they did not participate in their father's crime or mistake,” he told fellow lawmakers. Domestic crackdown Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, or Bird, told MEE the expulsions were a worrying development. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “It sets a dangerous precedent that if you cast a vote in a way perceived by the Bahraini king or government as upsetting, then the consequences on you will be quite harrowing,” he said. “You could even face losing your nationality and being deported.” Andrew McIntosh, of Salam for Democracy and Human Rights, said the expulsions would have devastating implications for reformists in the country. 'Bahrain is likely to become more polarised and militant. This is the opposite of what the government hopes to achieve' - Andrew McIntosh, campaigner “We've seen political movements boycotting elections since 2014, claiming the Council of Representatives has no real power. That sentiment is now growing,” he told MEE. “Discontent and deprived of democratic channels to express their grievances and advocate for change, Bahrain is likely to become more polarised and militant. This is the opposite of what the government hopes to achieve.” Last week, the governments of Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan and the UAE all published statements in solidarity with Bahrain, and in support of its recent domestic measures in connection with security. In retaliation for the US-Israeli war launched in late February, Iran fired thousands of missiles and drones at Gulf states, including Bahrain. Explosions from direct impacts and fires from falling debris after anti-missile interception have been reported across the island. At least three people have been killed and scores wounded. The war has also been accompanied by a domestic crackdown by Bahraini authorities. More than 200 people have been arrested since the war began, Bird has documented. The actual number may be higher due to enforced disappearances. Some of the arrests have been in connection with protests, while many are to do with social media posts, including posting footage of Iranian attacks. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Mohamed al-Mosawi, 32, died in custody after being forcibly disappeared along with several of his friends in connection with the Iran war. Mosawi's corpse had bruises and marks all across the face and body, photographs and footage seen by MEE showed. The death sparked angry protests, as demonstrators accused authorities of torturing him to death. A few days ago, investigators in Bahrain charged an intelligence officer over assault during the interrogation leading to Mosawi’s death. Inside Bahrain News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0