His Excellency Lukman Faily
Ambassador of Republic of Iraq to the United States of America
Iraq Embassy
3421 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20007
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
On behalf of Shia Rights Watch we are writing to highlight our concerns regarding the safety and security of the Shia Muslims in Iraq as Shia targeted killings, and bombings is increasing dramatically in this country. The pain and sorrow that Iraqi Shia are facing is beyond human’s capacity and will affect their healthy function.
As you are aware there have been 5700 death in Iraq since January 2013 and the death toll is increasing every day. Hundreds of families lost their loved ones in explosions; many children are left as orphans and more families have become homeless or lost their caregivers and breadwinners; Visitors and pilgrims are attacked constantly. Most recently an elementary school was attacked in the Tal Afar village and killed 12 children and collapsed the school. Most attacks take place at busy market places, funeral gatherings and near Shia mosques and shrines. Also majority of the bombings and explosions are planned as coordinated series and that means there are systematic approaches to target Shia population, especially innocent citizen.
Shia Muslims are not safe mostly in Sunni led countries or in countries in which they are minority. However Shia of Iraq are majority and the country is led by Shia government, therefore Shia Muslims are expected to be more secure and safe.
SRW is concerned that Iraqi government is not doing what it takes to secure its citizen and block outsider’s financial resources and ideological influences. There are reports that reveal mountains and isolated areas of Iraq are occupied by terrorists and Al-Qaida forces. Terrorists must not find Iraq a safe place to plan their anti-human activities.
The organization urges the Iraqi government to identify extremists and their resources and immediately stop them. Also the government should train forces to secure the cities and capture those who are responsible for the death of thousands of Shia Muslims in Iraq.
Sincerely,
Mustafa Akhwand
Director of Shia Rights Watch
