Kuwait Condemned for Revoking Opponents' Citizenship
A Gulf human rights group on Tuesday denounced Kuwait's decision to revoke the citizenship of political opponents, warning such measures only fuel tensions between the region's monarchies and their people.
"We condemn these policies... and remind the Gulf ruling families that the people are not a part of their property," the Gulf Forum for Civil Societies said in a statement.
Kuwait on Monday revoked the citizenship of a former opposition MP and the owner of a pro-opposition satellite channel and a daily newspaper along with their family members.
Opposition activists said the measure was taken to punish them for opposing the government and to frighten off any dissent.
The Forum said similar actions were used by Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, which along with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar form the Gulf Cooperation Council.
All six are ruled by dynasties.
"These actions are in breach of international treaties signed by the Gulf states. More importantly, these actions will fuel more tension and will not scare activists," said the Forum, a pan-Gulf liberal group.
"It will only deepen differences between the people and the ruling families... and things may reach a point of no return."
Source: Agence France Presse
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