Nationality and Cases of Statelessness in the Middle East and North Africa renounces Islam or “behaves in such a manner as clearly indicates his intention to abandon Islam”.155 Not only does this contravene the fundamental right to freedom of religion, the vague language of the provision also leaves it open to abuse and to arbitrary decision-making. In Oman, a person can be stripped of nationality on the grounds of being an atheist or of belonging to an “anti-religious group”.156 As with the Kuwaiti provision, this article is both contrary to basic human rights standards and formulated in worryingly broad terms. • Disability: A person who acquires Mauritanian nationality by naturalisation may subsequently be deprived of that nationality if, within a year from the date of naturalisation, he or she is found to be “physically or mentally disabled”.157 This goes against the equal right of persons with disabilities to acquire and change nationality, as set out in article 18 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. • Political beliefs: In Egypt, the nationality law gives the state the authority to deprive a person of nationality “if, at any time, he is assumed to be a 155 - Article 4(5), Kuwait Nationality Law, 1959. 156 - Article 13(2), Omani Nationality Law, 1962. 157 - Article 14, 1961-112 Law on Mauritanian Nationality, 1961. 120

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