Reports

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recently released its annual religious freedom report. The report documents concerns about religious freedom in Countries of Particular Concern and Special Watch List Countries.  Among the endangered religious minorities were Shia Muslims, who exist across the world as residents and citizens.  …

Annual Report 2019 In this report, Shia Rights Watch quantifies violence against Shia Muslims and presents the dynamics of anti-Shiism in various nations of the world. This report reflects year-round investigations arranged by native activists and international researchers on actions taken to endanger populations based on their Shia identity.  Pushing …

Shia Muslims spend the first ten days of the holy month of Muharram in ritual mourning commemorating the death of Hussain, son of Ali, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad.   Muharram rituals are central to the Shia faith. The nature of these rituals make this population highly visible, and thus, Shia …

Annual report of Anti-Shiism around the Globe This report reflects investigative work Shia Rights Watch staff undertook in 2018   Introduction Parallel to the rise of coverage of the Shia identity came to an increased need for recognition for the dynamics of the faith-based population. With the Arab Spring starting …

February 14th, 2018 marks the 8th anniversary of Bahrain 2011 uprising. Shia Rights Watch predicts that more protest and crackdowns will be carried out as a result. In fact activists reported as many as 23 people were arrested today, the 13th, as the kingdom’s security services raided homes in numerous towns …

Shia rights violations continued in November.  Anti-Shia incidents were witnessed in some countries. Most violation reports are from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan,  and Afghanistan.  Anti-Shia violations, including but not limited to, imprisonment, physical and emotional torture, limited or no access to medical assistance, hate speech, explosion, and executions. Shia …

Anti-Shiism is prevalent and spreading in 2018. Already halfway through the year, the number of countries where Shia Muslim violations have occurred increased from 6 in January to 16 by the end of June. Countries examined in this report for their anti-Shiism include Nigeria, Bahrain, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South …

2017 Annual Report   2018 marks the 7th anniversary of Shia Rights Watch. Over the past seven years, our organization and our team have grown from a Washington, DC-based minority rights group to an internationally renowned institution active in both the United Nations and the International community. Our qualitative and …

Intro The first half of 2017 has been a turbulent time for Shia Muslims all over the world. Anti-Shiism, or the active targeting of Shia Muslim to limit their visibility and expression, was prevalent in across the globe. Shia Muslims, including their sub groups, make up approximately 50% of the …