Authorities across the Gulf have arrested more than 1,000 people in a sweeping crackdown on expression linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran and Iranian attacks on Gulf states, Amnesty International said, warning that governments are using national security claims to silence information-sharing and peaceful political views.
The rights group said authorities in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman issued broad warnings against sharing online content deemed to spread “rumours” or “false information” about the war. The crackdown has included arrests for filming missile interceptions, sharing footage of damage caused by projectiles, reposting content related to the conflict or expressing sympathy with Iran or the Iranian people.
The most egregious cases were reported in Kuwait and Bahrain, where authorities are said to have stripped people of their nationality. Amnesty said Bahrain revoked the nationality of 69 people and their families after accusing them of expressing sympathy for and glorifying “the criminal hostile acts of Iran” or engaging in “collusion with external parties.” Kuwait, meanwhile, stripped more than 1,200 people of their nationality by decree, without giving reasons.
