Statement on naturalization of Bahrainis in Qatar

Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa has today urged all Bahraini citizens to heed their legal situation and comply with the law on citizenship.
The decision taken by the State of Qatar to grant citizenship to members of certain Bahraini families after luring them with some advantages has prompted the Ministry of Interior to call on citizens to comply with the law on Bahraini nationality.
"Qatar has targeted specific families and singled out a particular category of people without any consideration for the provisions of the law on citizenship in Bahrain", Shaikh Rashid said. He expressed his confidence that Qatar would reconsider this stance, saying that the naturalization of Bahrainis would affect Bahrain's national security and vital interests negatively. He urged all citizens to commit to the law provisions so as not to face any consequences incurred by their violations of Bahrain's law on nationality for 1963.
He stressed the necessity of complying with the recent amendments of the aforementioned law, which regulate the acquisition of a foreign nationality and stipulate the negative consequences of violating the law. In a statement today, Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa cautioned Bahrainis against such a step which would have a negative impact on their legal status. He pointed out that the agreements sealed between all GCC member states entitle the Arabian Gulf nationals to numerous advantages, including the right to work, own properties and travel.
"The acquisition of the nationality of any GCC country is no prerequisite to be eligible to obtain these advantages", Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa said. He cited the agreement sealed in Riyadh on April 17, 2014, which stipulates non-interference in the internal affairs of any GCC member state out of firm keenness on collective security. He expressed Bahrain's resolve to work in tandem with other GCC countries to settle this controversial issue in line with the Riyadh agreement and the fraternal relations bonding Bahrain and Qatar.