Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report highlighting the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims from March 1st to April 1st, 2026.
This report details various terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia Muslims, as well as instances of oppression and abuse by certain governments and regimes.
This month’s report also includes a dedicated section on civilian victims of war in the Middle East.
SRW relied on both its own sources and public sources, such as individuals and human rights groups active in the countries where violations occurred.
SRW notes that it refrained from mentioning some violations due to the absence of conclusive evidence, despite being certain of their occurrence in some countries, emphasizing that it does not seek political or profit goals in its work, but rather aims to achieve justice and equality aspired to by human societies.
Countries (Alphabetically):
Afghanistan
21/03/2026 – Restriction of Religious Practices: Authorities prevented the performance of Eid prayers according to the Jaafari school in Kabul and Herat, confiscating loudspeakers to enforce official prayer timing.
25/03/2026 – Forced Displacement: Ongoing forced eviction of Hazara families from ancestral lands in Daikundi and Bamiyan in favor of groups aligned with authorities.
Pakistan
05/03/2026 – Road Blockades and Ambushes (Kurram Region): Armed groups blocked key routes and targeted Shia convoys between Parachinar and Peshawar, resulting in civilian casualties.
10/03/2026 – Killings in Karachi: Between 10–16 Shia protesters were killed by security guards near the U.S. Consulate during protests related to the war involving Iran.
10/03/2026 – Killings in Islamabad: 3 protesters were killed near the U.S. Embassy during similar demonstrations.
Bahrain
06/03/2026 – Restriction of Collective Prayer: Authorities surrounded Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz and prevented unified Shia prayer.
10/03/2026 – Mass Arrest Campaign: Over 200 individuals arrested since early March on charges including “espionage,” “treason,” and misuse of social media for expressing solidarity.
12/03/2026 – Religious Persecution: Cases documented involving removal of religious symbols and summoning of mourners under accusations of inciting hostility toward the state.
27/03/2026 – Death Under Torture: Detainee Mohammed Al-Mousawi died following severe physical and psychological torture in detention.
India
28/03/2026 – Identity-Based Violence in Murshidabad: Violent attacks during a religious procession resulted in destruction of 40 shops and multiple injuries. Groups linked to Hindutva ideology were implicated.
Kuwait
03/2026 – Restriction of Religious Practices: Authorities limited commemoration of Imam Ali’s martyrdom to select venues, restricted to 30 minutes under unified timing—representing a significant restriction on religious freedom.
Syria
The reporting period documents systematic and repeated violations, including killings, abductions, arbitrary detention, and attacks on civilians and religious sites:
01/03/2026 – Assassination (Homs): An armed group killed two young men, Ali Hassan Jardo and Mohammad Ramadan, inside a shop in Al-Abbasiyah neighborhood.
01/03/2026 – Civilian Killing (Homs): A 13-year-old girl was killed by random gunfire in Al-Zahraa area.
02/03/2026 – Abduction (Hama): Armed group abducted Lana Al-Sulaiman (18) from Masyaf.
03/03/2026 – Employment Dismissals (Latakia): Authorities dismissed 113 doctors from public hospitals.
04/03/2026 – Abduction (Latakia): Alma Elia Saleh (14) abducted in Karsana area.
06/03/2026 – Religious Site Attack (Harisun): Shrine of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Bilani vandalized.
06/03/2026 – Body Discovery (Damascus): Body of Salim Habib found with gunshot wounds.
06/03/2026 – Bodies Discovered (Homs): Bodies of Yasser Abbas and Hussein Hamdi found after abduction.
07/03/2026 – Arbitrary Detention (Border Crossings): Returning families from Lebanon were detained, interrogated, and subjected to verbal abuse and identity-based harassment.
08/03/2026 – Armed Home Invasion (Rural Homs): Armed group raided a civilian home, opened fire, used explosives, and stole livestock under threat of force.
10/03/2026 – Desecration of Religious Site (Latakia): Shrine of Al-Khidr Abu Al-Abbas vandalized.
12/03/2026 – Abduction (Homs): Mohammad Bassam Al-Sulaiman abducted; his father assaulted during the incident.
12/03/2026 – Employment Dismissals (Tartous): Authorities dismissed 246 teachers.
13/03/2026 – Abduction (Homs): Hala Bassem Fayyad (17) abducted in Shin area.
13/03/2026 – Abduction (Latakia): Wissam Aziz Mansour and her child abducted.
13/03/2026 – Execution (Damascus): Hussein Al-Rajo was executed, and his body was publicly discarded.
13/03/2026 – Body Discovery (Tartous): Muhan Hizam found dead after abduction.
14/03/2026 – Body Discovery (Homs): Ismail Mustafa found dead with gunshot wounds.
14/04/2026 – Religious Property Seizure (Qardaha): Shrines of Bani Hashem confiscated and converted into military facilities.
16/03/2026 – Body Discovery (Homs): Ali Ramez Al-Mohammad found dead with gunshot wounds.
16/03/2026 – Armed Attack (Aleppo): Attack on civilian transport resulted in 1 death (Ibrahim Hassan Al-Khatib) and 3 injuries.
18/03/2026 – Targeted Killing (Homs): Abbas Assaf killed by gunfire.
18/03/2026 – Body Discovery (Homs): Ayman Ali Al-Jardi found dead after abduction.
19/03/2026 – Assassination (Latakia): Doctor Ali Ayoub killed inside his clinic.
20/03/2026 – Armed Raid (Jabal Al-Ward): Attack injured 5 civilians and caused property damage.
20/03/2026 – Armed Raid and Looting (Deir ez-Zor): Armed groups raided Hatla town, fired weapons to intimidate civilians, and looted property.
21/03/2026 – Desecration of Religious Site (Masyaf): Shrine of Sheikh Mohammad Al-Maghribi destroyed and burned.
22/03/2026 – Cemetery Vandalism (Homs): Al-Firdous cemetery desecrated; graves damaged.
25/03/2026 – Body Discovery (Al-Ghab Plain): Ali Abdulhamid Mahmoud found dead with gunshot wounds.
27/03/2026 – Body Discovery (Baniyas): Nawar Ali found dead with gunshot wounds.
30/03/2026 – Arrest Campaign (Qardaha): Armed groups conducted raids, resulting in injuries and abductions of civilians.
31/03/2026 – Employment Dismissals (Homs): 405 public employees dismissed from the Directorate of Education.
Civilian Victims of War in the Middle East
Ongoing hostilities have resulted in documented violations of international humanitarian law, particularly protections outlined under the Geneva Conventions.
Iran
According to preliminary data:
Civilian deaths: Approximately 1,444 (some estimates exceed 1,900)
Injuries: Between 18,551 – 20,000
Infrastructure damage:
The International Organization for Migration reported damage to 82,000 civilian buildings across 20 provinces, affecting approximately 180,000 civilians, including critical infrastructure.
Lebanon
Civilian deaths: 1,268 (as of 31/03/2026)
Injuries: 3,750
Forced displacement:
Human Rights Watch confirmed evacuation orders targeting predominantly Shia-populated areas, displacing approximately 15% of the population.
Identity-based displacement indicators: Reports indicate restrictions on return to areas south of the Litani River.
Use of prohibited weapons:
Verified reports indicate the use of white phosphorus in civilian مناطق including Kfarkela and Mays Al-Jabal.
Outcome and Position
Shia Rights Watch reaffirms its commitment to:
Monitoring identity-based violence
Defending freedom of religion and belief (Article 18, Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
Advocating for civilian protection under international humanitarian law
All data remains preliminary and subject to verification updates.
