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UN Rapporteurs: Bahrain's Terrorism and Nationality Laws Have Negative Effects, Should Be Reconsidered

2023-05-17 - 7:43 p

Bahrain Mirror: UN rapporteurs called on the government of Bahrain to "review the Law on the Protection of Society from Terrorist Acts and the Nationality Law to ensure that they comply with Bahrain's international obligations."

In a joint letter sent to the Government of Bahrain on May 8, 2023, the UN rapporteurs considered that the definition of "terrorism" in Law No. 58 of 2006 on "Protection of Society from Terrorist Acts" and the Bahraini Nationality Law of 1963 (amended in 2014 and 2019) is "so loose".

The rapporteurs considered that the definition and the law "cause negative and disproportionate effects on: certain groups (of citizens), legal process, the right to liberty and security of person, the right not to be deprived of nationality, and the exercise of freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association."

The signatories UN rapporteurs are:

Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism

Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression

Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association 

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders 

Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy

Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

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