Millions Of Muslims Face Citizenship Risk In Britain As Secret Powers Raise Alarming Human Rights Concerns

A new report has triggered widespread alarm in Britain. It warns that secret legal powers allow the government to revoke citizenship quietly. These powers rest with the Home Secretary. Citizens may lose nationality without notice. Even lifelong residents are not fully protected. The law allows action if a person is “eligible” for another nationality. Actual ties to that country do not matter.

Who Has Raised These Alarming Concerns?

Human rights groups Reprieve and the Runnymede Trust released the report. They studied Britain’s citizenship laws in detail. Their findings suggest large-scale misuse is possible. The organisations warn minorities face the greatest risk. They say powers are excessive and secretive. The report was cited by Middle East Eye. It has intensified national debate.

How Many People Could Be Affected?

The report estimates nearly nine million people are vulnerable. That is about 13 percent of Britain’s population. These citizens have foreign-born parents. Many belong to Muslim communities. Their citizenship depends on government discretion. A single administrative decision could change lives. This scale has shocked civil rights groups.

Why Are Muslims Especially Worried?

The report says Muslims are most exposed. Communities with roots in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East face higher risk. Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Somali, Nigerian, and Indian-origin citizens are mentioned. Critics say the law creates racial bias. Muslim citizenship becomes conditional. White British citizens face no such uncertainty. This unequal treatment fuels fear.

What Does The Law Actually Allow?

Under current rules, citizenship can be removed if another nationality is “possible.” The person may never have lived there. They may not even identify with that country. Still, citizenship can be revoked. Critics say this violates basic fairness. Earlier, such powers were used only in war situations. Now they are applied routinely.

Is Politics Driving These Decisions?

Reprieve’s Maya Foa warned of political misuse. She said earlier governments stripped citizenship for political gain. Victims included trafficking survivors. The current government has expanded these powers further. Runnymede Trust CEO Shabna called this trend frightening. She said citizenship should not depend on ministerial discretion. Accountability, she stressed, is missing.

Why Are Indian Muslims Also At Risk?

The report highlights Indian-origin citizens clearly. Around 984,000 people from India live in Britain. Many could be impacted under these rules. Pakistanis and Bangladeshis face similar risks. Rights groups say this marks a dangerous shift. Citizenship is no longer secure. For many families, identity itself now feels uncertain.