Deprivation of nationality in the Gulf: Stories from Kuwait and Bahrain

July 20, 2026

Gulf states including Kuwait and Bahrain are systematically denying and revoking citizenship from thousands of residents, creating widespread statelessness that violates international human rights standards. Kuwait has revoked citizenship from over 42,000 people since 2024 through a committee review process, targeting naturalized citizens, dual nationals, and women who gained nationality through marriage, while Bahrain stripped citizenship from over 1,000 people between 2012 and 2020, primarily political dissidents. The situation is compounded by discriminatory nationality laws that prevent Gulf women from passing citizenship to their children, leaving many born to national mothers and foreign fathers stateless.

Who is affected

Over 42,000 people who have had Kuwaiti citizenship revoked since 2024, including naturalized citizens, dual nationals, and women who acquired nationality through marriage
Kuwait's Bidoon population (stateless since the country's founding)
Over 1,000 people stripped of Bahraini nationality between 2012 and 2020, with approximately 435 cases remaining unresolved
Thousands of Bahrainis of Iranian origin (who remained stateless until 2000)
Children born to Gulf national mothers and foreign fathers who cannot obtain citizenship
Specific individuals profiled: Khadija (Kuwaiti Bidoon woman), Ahmed (27-year-old son of Bahraini mother and Pakistani father)

What action is being taken

Kuwait is conducting a broad campaign through the Supreme Committee for Verifying Kuwaiti Nationality to review nationality acquisition
Bahrain's Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs Department is investigating citizenship cases
A committee in Bahrain is reviewing all cases of nationality acquisition dating back to 2010 to verify documents and information
Identity documents and passports are being confiscated from those stripped of nationality

Why it matters

This represents a fundamental violation of international human rights law, as stripping nationality renders people stateless and deprives them of basic human rights. The practice affects multiple generations of families who have lived in these countries for decades or even over a century, denying them access to essential services like healthcare, education, and employment. The gender-discriminatory nationality laws perpetuate inequality and force women to make critical life decisions based on citizenship concerns rather than personal choice. These policies are being used as political weapons against dissidents and opposition groups, undermining democratic principles and creating social instability. The issue demonstrates how states prioritize demographic and sectarian control over human rights obligations, leading to profound economic and social marginalization of affected populations.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices