Thousands Participate In First Ever Human Chain Protest Calling For End to Naturalisation in Bahrain

Manama, Bahrain- Setting a new record in the region and sending a strong message to the government, thousands of Bahraini´s on Friday formed a 4 km human chain calling for an end to political naturalization. They were backed by six opposition parties who called for a ´modern´ nationality law that does not put pressure on the limited resources in the tiny Gulf country. This is the first time in the Gulf States that citizens have participated in a human chain protest regarding the naturalization issue.

Al Wefaq, the largest opposition party spearheaded the campaign with lawmakers from the bloc participating in the protest. The bloc has formed the National Committee against Political Naturalization in conjunction with five other opposition parties to lobby the authorities to control and end alleged naturalization of foreigners.

"A modern nationality law needs to be drafted so that it does not change the demography of the Kingdom. Citizens are worried as thousands of foreigners are naturalized which pose a threat to the identity of the country," the Committee said in a statement on Friday.

Women protestors supported the rally held in Juffair in large numbers and stood firm along with male protestors of which mostly were religious leaders. They were part of the human chain and carried the red and white Bahrain flag along with placards that read- " No to Naturalisation." The General Director of the Capital Governorate Police Station said that over 2,000 people took part in the peaceful rally that was authorized by the Ministry of Interior.

The public outcry over alleged naturalization has been a thorny issue for authorities and follows after recently the Royal Court allegedly rejected a petition by opposition parties calling for end to issuing passports to Non- Bahrainis. However, authorities reportedly urged parties to use proper channels in the Chamber of Deputies( Lower House) to highlight their opposition. Lawmakers from Al Wefaq and other parliamentary blocs have started to wear badges that read- No to Political Naturalization during the weekly parliamentary sessions.

Opposition leader and Al Wefaq lawmaker Shaikh Ali Salman who took part in the human chain protest claims that in the 2001 census, Bahrain´s population was 420,328 while with the normal population growth of 7. 2 per cent the population in 2007 should be 531,447. However, according to government records the Kingdom´s population reached one million last year. The MP claims this sudden increase is due to naturalization of foreigners. According to the 1963 naturalisation law, Arabs must spend at least 15 years in Bahrain before they can apply for the citizenship; non-Arabs have to have been in the country for 25 years in addition to proficiency in Arabic

But the government has maintained that it follows laws and international human rights agreements in issuing passports.The Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa announced recently announced a revision of the naturalization policy. He said the revision which includes the procedures of granting Bahraini citizenship and the issuing of passports was done according to the latest security, political and economic developments the country is witnessing. One member of a terror cell that was discovered in Bahrain in the mid of this year is a Jordanian who was granted Bahraini passport.

"Although the nationally law imposed tough conditions to grant citizenship, but the revision is important to cope with new situations," Shaikh Rashid said.

The Ministry has a special directorate, which screens applicants for the naturalisation process. The Interior Minister said after all the security checks and legal requirements the information is passed on to the Royal Court. In previous statement, the minister affirmed that 7012 persons were naturalised in the last five years. Asians topped the list with 3599 individuals being given Bahraini passport, followed with 2240 Arabs, 1095 GCC citizens and 78 from various countries.

Other GCC countries, such as Kuwait, Oman, the UAE or Qatar, too grant citizenship to those applying for it provided they meet the strict criteria set by nationality law .Mps from Al Wefaq had submitted a bill in the Lower House this year based on the Qatari nationality law that allows a maximum of 50 persons to be naturalised in one year.Opposition parties here have announced to continue to push their demands by holding a series of such events in the coming months all across the country with equal religious and political participation.

Bahrain , a close US ally is the main financial and banking hub in the region.

Sandeep Singh Grewal, is a Bahrain based journalist.