Bahrain King restores the nationality of 551 citizens
King Hamad of Bahrain on Sunday ordered the reinstatement of the citizenship of 551 Bahrainis stripped of their citizenship by court decisions, a few days after criticism by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Bahraini sovereign, who can revoke court decisions, has asked the relevant departments to take into account in choosing the beneficiaries of "the nature of the crimes committed," says an official statement. "The study and assessment of the situation of convicted persons should be based on criteria relating to the gravity, impact and consequences of the crimes as well as to the danger that the convicted person may pose to national security", indicates the text. "King Hamad has asked the Minister of the Interior to study citizenship revocation decisions and to prepare a list of reintegration beneficiaries," the statement added. The small kingdom of Bahrain, close ally of the United States and Saudi Arabia, has been accused of resorting massively to the deprivation of nationality in its repression against the opponents, mainly Shiites..... Read the full article