The experts, who will be sent by UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay to the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom, will focus on the judicial system as well as on accountability for present and past human rights violations and follow up on a preliminary mission that took place last December.

“The High Commissioner regretted the decision taken by Bahraini authorities on 7 November to revoke the nationality of 31 citizens for ‘having undermined state security,’” the OHCHR said.

The decision violated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which prohibits states from arbitrarily depriving people of their nationality, the office stated.

The citizens include London-based dissidents Saeed al-Shehabi and Ali Mushaima, the son of jailed opposition leader Hassan Mushaima, as well as clerics, human rights lawyers and activists.

The OHCHR said it was also “deeply concerned about the restrictions on public demonstrations and other public gatherings.”

On October 30, Bahraini authorities banned all demonstrations and public gatherings amid rising protests against the ruling Al Khalifa regime.

The popular uprising began in Bahrain in mid-February 2011.

The Bahraini government promptly launched a brutal crackdown on the peaceful protests and called in Saudi-led Arab forces from neighboring states.

A report published by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in November 2011 found that the Al Khalifa regime had used excessive force in the crackdown and accused Manama of torturing political activists, politicians and protesters.

Bahraini protesters say they will continue holding anti-regime demonstrations until their demand for the establishment of a democratically elected government is met.

MP/HSN