CChapter 3: Comparative analysis of nationality laws nor on the grounds for withdrawal of nationality invoked by the state in these cases. The power to deprive nationality in response to acts of disloyalty or threats to the security of the state has found new expression in the context of the Arab Revolution. In both Bahrain and UAE, there have been examples of high-profile deprivations of nationality from political opponents or others voicing dissent. For example, in November 2012, Bahrain ordered the withdrawal of nationality from 31 individuals who were accused of “undermining the security of the state” – a ground for deprivation of nationality under article 10 of Bahrain’s nationality law. Just a few days later, courts in the UAE rejected an appeal lodged by seven Emirates whose nationality had been withdrawn due to their commission of acts “threatening the security of the state”. These practices have been described as “setting a worrying precedent” in a region which is currently characterised by on-going political turmoil.216 Moreover, in such instances, it is evident that the state will and does proceed with the withdrawal of nationality regardless of the potential for creating statelessness.217 216 - Z. Albarazi, Denationalising Bahraini’s: ousting the opposition, 16 November 2012, available at: http://statelessprog.blogspot.nl/2012/11/ denationalizing-bahrainis-ousting.html. 217 - See for a number of other examples of the withdrawal of nationality from individuals and groups within the MENA region, UNHCR, The situation of stateless persons in the Middle East and North Africa, October 2010, page 8. 161