SAUDI ARABIA

Free Salma AlShehab

Salma al-Shehab is imprisoned and sentenced Shi’a Muslim woman and mother of two small children to 34 years in prison over a Twitter post. Al-Shehab Ph.D. student at Leeds University in the United Kingdom, has been subjected to solitary confinement and abuse based on her religion while in prison. She …

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Violations Continue in 16 Days of Siege

Sources report Saudi court sentenced as many as 14 activists to the death penalty on May 25th.  The sentencing was based on the activists’ participation in pro-democracy protests. The government, usually, accuses the activist of terrorist activities, however the new sentences point to an escalation of violence towards protestors. Several …

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Stand Up for Awamiya

Saudi Shia are not even treated as second class citizens anymore: siege suggests they are not considered citizens at all, says SRW. Six days in, the siege in Awamiya remains strong. Sources report that Saudi forces invaded the town beginning at 3 am, closed all entrances and started to demolish …

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Hajj 2016 update: Iraqi Pilgrims Abused in Medina Airport

Abuse of Iraqi Hajj pilgrims in Medina airport

Shia rights violation increases as Hajj season begins in Saudi Arabia. According to Iraqi Hajj groups, their pilgrims face restriction and unexpected search in addition to humiliation and verbal abuse in public. Member of Iraqi Hajj groups were subject to beating, insult and abuse as they entered Medina airport today. …

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Nephew of Sheikh Nimr Sentenced to Death

Saudi Arabia sentenced Ali Nimr, nephew of Sheikh Nimr, to death penalty. Ali was arrested participating in a protest in 2012 as a minor: he was held in Correctional facility for two years then he was transferred to jail as he reached legal age. His mother was permitted to visit …

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Hajj of 2015 and Shia in Saudi Arabia

Hajj was meant to a be a spiritual experience where humans practice sympathy, and being humble as millions of Muslims with different school of thought, economic statues and social class gather on one land performing rituals. However Saudi Arabia uses Hajj season to pressure minorities within Islam, especially Shia Muslims. …

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