January 30th – February 5th, 2016
Malaysia
Four Malaysian Shia Muslims were summoned to Syariah Court and charged with Sections nine and twelve of Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1997, because of their Shia practices.
Thirteen Malaysians who have declared themselves followers of the Shia faith in 2013. In a Statutory Declaration, they have all stated that they are free from any terrorist activities, do not condone violence, and also declared loyalty to The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (head of state) or king of Malaysia.
On May 15th,2014, all thirteen of the Shia Malaysians were called upon to the office of Islamic Affair Johor (JAIJ) for investigation. It is notable that investigation sessions were closed to the public.
The thirteen individuals charged were bailed out on a fee of RM 2,000per person and their next hearing will be on April 14th, 2016.
Ongoing investigation on Malaysian Shia, ban to their publications, and increasing restrictions are some human rights violations that the Shia Rights Watch have been reporting. Malaysia must recognize its Shia population as lawful citizens and stop pressuring this minority based on their faith.
Bahrain
Human rights abuses and violations are an ongoing phenomenon in Bahrain.
A court in Bahrain has sentenced eight Shia Muslims to three years in prison. According to activists, the court accused and charged Shia Muslims because they blocked aroad during a protest. Hundreds of peaceful protestors were charged and are currently jailed in Bahrain under the false pretence of national security.
Moreover, the Bahraini security forces recently arrested six children from the Sar region:
This includes two sixteen year olds named Sayyid Ali Abbas Mohammed and Jassem Mohammed Hassan, two fifteen year olds named Hassan Mohammed Hassan and Fadhel Mohammed Hassan, one fourteen year old named Sayyid Fadhel Saeed Shams, and finally one thirteen year old named Sayyid Mohammed Hashem. The prosecutor general ordered for the children to be detained while they were investigated for political crimes, which in most cases, means participation in peaceful protests.
