Iranian MPs Condemn Revocation of Bahraini Cleric’s Citizenship
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Over 250 Iranian parliamentarians in a statement denounced a recent move by the Al Khalifa regime to strip prominent cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim of his Bahraini citizenship, saying the measure contravenes the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
In the statement read out at an open session of the parliament on Tuesday, 252 lawmakers deplored a muted response by the international community to the violation of international law by the “reactionary” ruling regime of Bahrain.
They also reminded the Al Khalifa dynasty of the “dire and unexpected consequences of such an unwise move.”
The statement stressed that the Manama regime has violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The covenant was adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by the General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966, and came into force on March 23, 1976.
According to the Article 12 of the document, “everyone lawfully within the territory of a State shall, within that territory, have the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose his residence,” and “no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country.”
Elsewhere in their statement, the Iranian MPs urged international reaction to the Al Khalifa’s violation of international law.
Bahrain said Monday that the citizenship of Sheikh Qassim has been revoked, accusing him of sowing sectarian divisions.
Sheikh Qassim, who is considered the spiritual leader of Bahrain's Shiite majority, was alleged to have used his position to “serve foreign interests and promote... sectarianism and violence,” the Bahraini ministry said in a statement.
