Summary of Shia Rights Violations in 2018 as Reported by USCIRF

USCIRF 2019 Report

This is the selected summary of the violations toward Shia Muslims as it is reported by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

Afghanistan

The ongoing operation of terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), threaten the country’s overall security but particularly endanger the nation’s Shi’a Muslim population who have faced increased attacks in recent years.

In fact, 2018 was one of the most fatal in Afghanistan for all civilians—and particularly religious minorities—due to terrorist activity, and the government often was unable to protect civilians from attacks.

Since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, a few historically disadvantaged ethnic and religious minority groups have overcome generations of discrimination to hold prominent positions in the public and private sectors.

This is especially true for the Shi’a Muslim community, whose socio political influence has grown over the last two decades as its members increasingly hold leading positions in the government, media, and private industry.

There are now more than 10,000 Shi’a mosques in the country, 400 of which are in the capital city of Kabul. There are also several prosperous neighborhoods and enclaves throughout the country that are predominantly inhabited by the Shi’a Muslim community. Shi’a Muslims’ sociopolitical ascendance has been one of the reasons some extremist groups have continued to target the community, whom they consider to be apostates. Yet, a superficial division has formed between extremists allied with the ISKP and those working for the Taliban. For example, in the aftermath of an attack in November 2018, the Taliban’s website explained that its aim was not to target any “specific race, ethnicity or sect” but rather to attack anyone abetting the government.

On the other hand, extremists affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have intentionally escalated their attacks and increased their public hate speech dehumanizing Afghanistan’s Shi’a Muslims. This is, in part, due to the fact that some of Afghanistan’s Shi’a Muslim population fought against ISIS in Syria. As a result, many ISIS leaders who fled from Syria to Afghanistan to establish bases have exported their intent to exact revenge against all Shi’a Muslims in the country. This is especially significant because an increased number of local Taliban fighters have started to switch their allegiance to the ISKP.

In 2018, this culminated in an increasingly lethal series of ISKP attacks against Shi’a mosques, such as an attack in March 2018 that left one dead and eight wounded and another in August that resulted in the deaths of 29. While the ISKP carried out attacks that targeted all civilians in general, its attacks targeting the Shi’a Muslim community have been more lethal, with nearly 300 fatalities from almost two dozen attacks in 2018 alone. Such attacks often have coincided with Shi’a religious festivals like Ashura or Muharram.

In response to this threat, the Afghan government has attempted to provide additional security and offered weapons to civilians living near Shi’a mosques.

In 2018, extremist groups, including the ISKP, continued targeting one specific ethnic group in particular: the overwhelmingly Shi’a Hazaras. Some examples include the ISKP’s twin bombings on September 5 of a Shi’a Hazara enclave that resulted in the deaths of 20 and injuries to 70, along with an attack on August 15 that resulted in 48 young Shi’a Muslims being killed and 67 injured.

These kinds of attacks were not limited in 2018 to major cities like Kabul, but increasingly occurred at the provincial level, such as a series of attacks in Ghazni Province.

Hazara advocates have complained that the government has failed to provide proper security to the community and that Hazara political leaders were granted limited influence over the government’s policy-making process.

Elections remain a point of conflict in Afghanistan. During the leadup to the October 2018 parliamentary elections, the ISKP carried out several attacks on religious minorities—such as Shi’a Muslims—at voter registration or polling centers. For example, an April 22 attack in Kabul left 57 people dead and 117 wounded.

Azerbaijan

By the end of 2018, Sardar Babayev, an Iranian-educated Shi’a Muslim imam, remained imprisoned for violating a law that prohibited individuals with foreign religious education from performing religious ceremonies

In February 2018, MUM leader and Shi’a Muslim theologian Taleh Bagirov (also known by the surname Bagirzade) received an additional five-month sentence for allegedly possessing micro-discs containing the text and audio recordings of the Qur’an.

In December 2018, Telman Shiraliyev, a Shi’a Muslim man originally sentenced to six years in prison for participating in an October 2012 protest against a ban on headscarves in schools, was sentenced to an additional six months in prison.

Bahrain

USCIRF visit to Bahrain in March 2019 found that the government continued its discrimination and repression of the Shi’a Muslim community on the basis of their religious identity in certain areas. In 2018, the government arrested some Shi’a Muslim clerics during Ashura religious observances, allegedly for “inciting hatred.” In the November 2018 local and parliamentary elections, some Shi’a Bahraini candidates were prevented from participating, and several party leaders were arrested or remained in jail. Some human rights defenders who advocated for greater religious freedom remained in prison. Furthermore, discrimination against Shi’a Muslims in government employment and some public and social services also continued, even though Bahrain’s laws affirm principles of nondiscrimination.

Bahraini government has sometimes used this pretext to crack down on some Shi’a opposition leaders, clerics, and activists without substantiating charges of subversion or criminal activity.

In 2018, Bahrain’s government continued its targeting of some Shi’a Muslims in the country. While government officials discouraged sectarian language in media outlets, progovernment and private media at times used inflammatory, sectarian rhetoric. Sheikh Isa Qasim, Bahrain’s leading Shi’a cleric, had his citizenship revoked by administrative order in June 2016; such orders are usually unappealable, but past removals of citizenship required a royal decree or an order from the Ministry of Interior, both of which are subject to an extra layer of appeals.

Bahrain also continued to arrest and detain Shi’a clerics on the basis of their religious identity. Shi’a cleric Sayyed Adnan al-Sayed Hashim was arrested in Diraz in January 2018 and held incognito for two weeks. This arrest contravened the BICI report’s recommendation not to detain individuals “without access to the outside world for more than two or three days.” A Bahraini appeals court also upheld a verdict against the imam of the Shi’a al-Kheif mosque, Sheikh Isa al-Moemen, for “inciting hatred” in a July 2017 sermon. Moemen served a three-month sentence and was released in May 2018.

In September 2018, during Ashura, three Shi’a clerics—Sheikh Yassin al-Harami, Sheikh Hani al-Bana’, and Sheikh Mohammed al-Sahlawi—were arrested for allegedly “encouraging acts of terrorism” and “inciting hatred against the regime”; according to groups that monitor religious freedom in Bahrain, these charges were unsubstantiated.

In November 2018, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior arrested leading Shi’a cleric Sheikh Khalid Fadhil al-Zaki during security raids in Shakhura and Abu Saiba and held him until mid-December 2018.

As in previous years, in September 2018 Bahraini security officials clamped down on peaceful Shi’a Muslim religious rituals during Ashura observances. While Bahrain is the only Gulf state to recognize Ashura as a public holiday, authorities restricted celebrations in some areas. More than 15 Shi’a clerics, chanters, and lay assistants reportedly were summoned and interrogated over their sermons. Bahraini authorities claimed 13 preachers were arrested in 2018 for violating sermon laws, seven of whom were Sunni Muslim and six of whom were Shi’a Muslim, and that all offenders were suspended from preaching. Bahraini security forces destroyed banners and signs advertising Ashura rituals claiming that the displaying of banners across streets posed a safety hazard.

In April 2018, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior demolished a temporary building meant to replace the Shi’a Imam al-Askari mosque in Hamad Town, northern Bahrain, for the second time and without prior notice, claiming it was subject to demolition under the Building Regulations Code Law No. 13 of 1977 and the Road Works Law No. 2 of 1996.

In August, the Ministry of Interior demolished the fence and the foundation marking the outline of the al-Alawiyat mosque in al-Zinj, which had been destroyed in 2011. Since 2011, Bahraini authorities have destroyed more than 38 mosques and Shi’a religious institutions. The Bahraini government has stated that the mosques it destroyed did not comply with safety and zoning laws, and that a small number of mosque destructions in a country with 608 places of Shi’a worship is not evidence of a religious freedom violation. Members of Bahrain’s Shi’a Muslim community reportedly still cannot serve in the active military, only in administrative positions, and there are no Shi’a Muslims in the upper levels of the Bahraini government security apparatus, Members of Bahrain’s Shi’a community reportedly still cannot serve in the active military including the military and police, with the exception of a Shi’a Muslim who holds the rank of brigadier general.

Many Shi’a public sector employees who were dismissed from their jobs because of participating in the 2011 protests were reinstated in lower-level jobs, positions outside of their specialty, or positions without actual responsibilities.

The Bahraini government continued to deny any discrimination against the Shi’a Muslim community in government employment, and has asserted there has been progress to diversify the military and security apparatus, for example, by recruiting from all segments of society—including the Shi’a Muslim community—into its community policing program.

Activists informed USCIRF during its March 2019 visit that the government refused to track the exclusion of Shi’a Muslims from employment in the military and government on the grounds that keeping such records would be a violation of privacy. Several activists noted that while there is no formal hiring discrimination against Shi’a Muslims, many employers ask questions that indirectly reveal an applicant’s religious affiliation.

Discrimination against Shi’a Muslims in the November Elections The Bahraini government continued its discrimination against Shi’a electoral candidates in 2018. No candidates were allowed to run from the Shi’a al-Wefaq party, which the government dissolved in 2016 after accusing it of providing “a nourishing environment for terrorism, extremism, and violence.” A 2016 amendment by King Al Khalifa to Law 14 of 2002 banned anyone who had received a prison sentence of six months or longer from participating in elections, disqualifying hundreds of Shi’a activists and opposition figures who had previously protested mistreatment.

Ahead of the elections, Sheikh Ali Salman, the former secretary-general of the banned al-Wefaq party, and Sheikh Hassan Sultan, a senior Shi’a cleric, were sentenced to life in prison on spurious national security charges. Ali Salman had his sentence extended from four years to life in prison three weeks before the elections took place.

Prior to the elections, Bahraini authorities arrested former Shi’a al-Wefaq parliament minister Ali Rashed al-Asheeri for a tweet expressing his intent to boycott the November 2018 elections.

In 2016, King Al Khalifa amended a 2005 law banning religious parties from political participation to also preclude anyone engaged in politics from giving religious speeches, sermons, or spiritual guidance. Bahrain’s government continued to use this amendment to prevent Shi’a Muslim religious figures from running for and holding political office, while allowing Sunni religious figures to do so.

In the 2018 elections, six candidates affiliated with the Sunni Salafist Asalah Islamic Society ran for office, three of whom were elected to parliament. Candidates linked to the Muslim Brotherhood-backed Al Menbar Islamic Society also ran, but did not win any seats.

Iran

According to the report, “Shi’a Muslim reformers and dissenters faced prolonged detention and the threat of execution”:

In March 2018, the Iranian Intelligence Services (Itila’aat) arrested cleric Hossein Shirazi, the son of detained senior cleric Ayatollah Sadegh Shirazi. Iran’s Special Clergy Court charged him with criticizing Iran’s leadership and its system of rule of a single jurist.

The SRW annual report derails more cases of violations. Click here to read

Indonisia

The quasi-governmental Indonesian Council of Ulema has issued fatwas declaring certain religious groups, including Ahmadiyya Muslims, Shi’a Muslims, and Gafatar, to be “deviant” and heretical to Islam

In 2018, public harassment of Indonesia’s one to three million Shi’a Muslims continued. For years, authorities in certain localities, such as the city of Makassar, have prohibited them from commemorating Ashura in public.

USCIRF’s October 2018 visit to Surabaya, the Commission learned that 346 Shi’a Muslims—or 83 households—remain internally displaced. Moreover, USCIRF heard that these displaced persons do not have access to a mosque qualified to conduct Shi’a Muslim religious rituals and cannot bury their dead in accord with their customs.

The Indonesian government requires all citizens to list their religious affiliation on ID cards. This has made it more difficult for individuals who do not follow one of the country’s six officially recognized faiths to obtain licenses and permits, access education and government jobs, and complete financial transactions.

Malaysia

federal and state-level religious authorities have banned a number of so-called “deviant” minority religious groups including Shi’a Muslims

While the constitution makes no distinction between Sunni and Shi’a Islam, in practice, Shi’a Muslims experience various forms of discrimination, Shi’a Muslims experience various forms of discrimination. Malaysian authorities surveil and harass Shi’a Muslims, ban literature that promotes non-Sunni Islamic beliefs, prohibit public worship or assembly, and threaten arrests for observing Shi’a Muslim holidays.

Nigintia

The IMN, the country’s largest Shi’a Muslim group, was formed by Sheikh Zakzaky in the northern city of Zaria in Kaduna State in the 1980s and 1990s. The IMN has since become the target of violence by the Nigerian government, which classifies the IMN as a “violent group” and uses excessive force to repress IMN members and activities. More than three years since the most violent crackdown on the IMN—the December 2015 mass killing and burial of 347 IMN members by the Nigerian Army in Zaria—and despite the 2016 Kaduna State COI finding the army responsible and recommending prosecutions, no Nigerian Army officers have been held to account. In 2018, Nigerian police continued to detain hundreds of IMN members—including, most prominently, Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Malama Zeenah Ibrahim, who have been held without charges since December 2015, despite an order from the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 2, 2016, that they be released within 45 days. Authorities arrested at least 15 IMN members in 2018.

Throughout 2018, IMN members staged protests around the country advocating for Sheikh Zakzaky’s release. In Kaduna and Sokoto, state-level officials maintained bans on IMN activities, including religious processions. The IMN and news sources reported that force used to disperse protests was at times excessive, causing both injuries and deaths.

Between October 28 and November 1, Shi’a Muslims marched around the country for Arbaeen—an annual religious procession observed by Shi’a Muslims globally to commemorate the death of Imam Hussein in the seventh century. Hundreds of IMN followers reportedly marched in Abuja both to honor the religious occasion and to protest for Sheikh Zakzaky’s release.

Although the Nigerian Army said protestors threw rocks at security services, there was no evidence of any violent provocation by the IMN. The Nigerian Army fired indiscriminately into crowds, killing at least 45 people, according to human rights groups. The Nigerian Army fired indiscriminately into [IMN] crowds, killing at least 45 people, according to human rights groups. Statement from the Nigerian government condemning this excessive use of force on peaceful protestors. The Nigerian Army initially tweeted a defense of soldiers’ actions, but then deleted it.

SRW reported arrest of 230 people in April, Click to read here

Pakistan

A Shi’a Muslim store manager, Mazhar Sipra, was sentenced to five years on terrorism charges.

Extremists targeted a Shi’a Muslim seminary with a terrorist attack, leaving nearly 30 people dead and 50 injured.

Groups like the Islamic State, LeJ, and the TTP have particularly targeted Hazara Shi’a Muslims. T

In April 2018, two young Hazara men were shot dead; no arrests were made. Responding to the government’s failure to act, leaders in the Hazara community launched a sit-in protest to demand action by the government to protect them.

During a special case hearing in May 2018, the chief justice of Pakistan stated that attacks on the Hazara Shi’a Muslims in Balochistan Province were tantamount to wiping out an entire generation and that the state must “protect lives and property of the Hazara community.”

The persecution of the Shi’a Muslim community in Pakistan has continued not only at the hands of extremist groups, but in some instances also by the government itself. In May 2018, the BBC exposed the “story of Pakistan’s ‘disappeared Shias,’” which detailed the harassment, arrest, and torture of nearly 140 Shi’a Muslims at the hands of Pakistan’s security agencies.

These individuals were often kept in secret detention without trial or any formal charge.

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi government continued to violate the rights of Shi’a Muslims.

The government restricted the observance of religious holidays by the Shi’a Muslim minorit.y

Shi’a Muslims Shi’a Muslims in Saudi Arabia continue to face discrimination in education, employment, and the judiciary, and lack access to senior positions in the government and military. The building of Shi’a mosques is restricted outside majority-Shi’a Muslim areas in the Eastern Province, and Saudi authorities often prohibit use of the Shi’a Muslim call to prayer in these areas.

Authorities arrest and imprison Shi’a Muslims for holding religious gatherings in private homes without permits and reading religious materials in husseiniyas (prayer halls). Saudi Arabia also restricts as a practice the establishment of Shi’a Muslim cemeteries.

During a USCIRF visit to the Eastern Province, certain Shi’a Muslims reported harassment by local police and invasions of privacy by the General Intelligence Directorate (GID). Shi’a Muslims who do not comply with GID instructions have their national identification blocked, restricting access to bank accounts and social services. Authorities also continued to target certain Shia’ religious leaders. In early 2018, the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh opened a second case against Sheikh Mohammed al-Habib for “encouraging protests intended to destabilize the kingdom.” Al-Habib, a Shi’a cleric and close associate of executed Shi’a Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, was detained in 2016 for “creating dissent.”

The Saudi government has continued rebuilding the predominantly Shi’a Muslim town of Awamiya, which the government’s security forces largely destroyed following violent clashes with Shi’a Muslim protesters and armed Shi’a Muslims in Saudi Arabia continue to face discrimination in education, employment, and the judiciary.

During these clashes, security forces sealed off the town, occupied a boys’ secondary school near the town of al-Musawara, closed the town’s clinics and pharmacies, and prevented essential services such as ambulances from reaching the area.

The government plans to invest nearly 64 million dollars (239 million Saudi riyals) into the Awamiya reconstruction project, which includes a park, market, library, conference center, and recreational facilities. Local residents expressed concern to USCIRF in September 2018 that the government’s plans for the neighborhood do not address the area’s lack of roads, schools, and adequate hospital facilities. The government also has not expanded and modernized the local sewage system, citing security concerns. A total of 488 houses were demolished as part of the Awamiya development project, although the Saudi government provided compensation and new housing to residents of these domiciles. Residents also expressed fear that violence would re-erupt after completion of the project.

In September 2018, the Saudi government reportedly restricted the observance of Ashura in Qatif and limited the performance of public mourning rituals to specific hours. Restrictions included bans on Shi’a Muslims broadcasting their rituals via loudspeakers and the destruction of food shelters where marchers are offered free meals because authorities claimed they lacked proper permits.

Municipal police also removed kiosks selling religious and cultural books, and took down celebratory signs on the grounds that they constituted “visual pollution.”

In 2018, USCIRF met with and received information about multiple individuals charged with apostasy for expressing theological views that differ from the government’s preferred interpretation, particularly members of minority Muslim communities. Government officials were reluctant to acknowledge the presence of Shi’a Islam in the country, viewed Shi’a communities through a geopolitical lens as enmeshed with Iran, and infringed on their freedom of religion.

SRW detailed the arrest and sentencing of the first female advocate in 2018 and its importance. Click here to read

Tajikistan

The small Shi’a Muslim minority in Tajikistan is generally tolerated by the government, although subject to the same level of official scrutiny given to the Sunni majority. Nevertheless, there were some signs of tension in 2018. During the summer, a senior member of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan published an article In January 2018, amendments to the 2009 law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Unions set rigorous new requirements for reporting mosque income, property, staff, salaries, and worshippers’ personal data alleging that the membership of IRPT had converted to Shi’a Islam, which he labeled an ‘alien religion’. On July 2, the article, which also alleged intense IRPT interest in Iran and its Islamic revolution, was re-published by the Tajikistani government news agency, Khovar.

Turkmenistan

The government has recently restricted registration of some minority group such as Shia.

In some cases the registration was rejected.

Uzbekistan

Jahongir Kulijanov, a member of Uzbekistan’s Shi’a Muslim minority community, also remained imprisoned throughout 2018 for his conviction for allegedly participating in an illegal religious organization and the possession and dissemination of extremist religious materials. Kulijanov was one of 20 Shi’a Muslims originally detained in Bukhara in February 2017 for holding an illegal religious meeting in a local café and sharing Shi’a Muslim literature.

According to Forum 18, Kulijanov’s peers believe he was targeted after he was tapped to replace the imam of a local Shi’a mosque.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism in April, 2019

Anti-Shiism in the form of direct violence, discrimination, and marginalization, was reported in number of nations during this month.

Extreme violations carried by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain shucked the international committees even more after both authorities promised reform and more freedom to their people. Pakistani and Iraq also remain unsafe for Shia communities as many violations are reported from these places.

It is important to note that cases of violence noted in this report are in fact only a sample of the incidents of anti-Shiism faces by the worlds Shia minority. Shia Rights Watch recognizes that incidents of violence are in large part not reported as many religious minorities live in fear of further persecution on the basis of their religious identity.

Bahrain

Prison’s Condition

The condition of Bahrain prisons continue to be concerning as more detainees’ health has declined. Families of Hassan Mushaima and Hajer Mansoor Hassan have reported that their doctor appointments are canceled and their right to access medical help is deliberately being denied. Lack of access to medical need, withholding medication and depriving prisoners of medical treatment has been an ongoing problem in Bahrain to the point that two prisoners, Ali Al-Hajji and Mohamed Mirza started hunger strike to bring more attention to such violations.

In addition to bad prison condition, assaults and search inside the prison has left number of detainees injured. Detainees at Bahrain’s Jaw Prison sustained injuries after being assaulted by the guards at the facility. The detainees reported that the guards unexpectedly and violently search the prison cells.

Violation to Freedom of Religion

It has been 156th consecutive weeks that Shia community is banned from performing congregation prayer on Fridays. Shia community state this is direct violation to their right to perform prayers at their own mosque, yet the local authorities have not commented on the issue.

Mass Trials

Massive trial ended with revocation of citizenship of 139 people and sentencing all of them to jail on April 16th. The High Criminal Court sentenced 69 suspects to life in prison, thirty-nine of the defendants received sentences up to 10 years, while 23 received 7-year terms. The remainder received up to 5 years.

Unlawful Detentions

The detention of Bahraini female detainee, Hadeer Abadi, was extended by an additional 30 days for a fourth consecutive time on April 13th. Although she was not charged of any crime, she is held in detention without any explanations. Her family reported that they have not been able to visit her since her detention started.

The violation and arbitrary arrest of Shia and pro-democracy protests continue in April as unknown number of people was arrested from different Shia populated cities in Bahrain.

Assaults to Shia Scholar

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa insulted an Iraqi Shia scholar and called him “dog” in a tweet posted according to Al Jazeera.

Bahraini authorities dehumanize Shia inside and outside of the jurisdiction and that needs to be addressed, says SRW.

Saudi Arabia

Mass Execution

Saudi Arabia‘s record breaking executions is making new history. This Kingdom mass executed another 37 people on its death toll on April 23rd. At least 33 of the victims including Sheikh Mohamed Al-Attiyah belong to oppressed Shia Community of the Saudi Arabia. Although this is not the first time this Kingdom has carried such mass execution, leaving two of the executed men’s bodies publicly hanging from a pole for several hours has sparked controversy for its horrifying display. The families and activists stated that the government used their loved ones’ body to infuse more fear in the society.

Between 2015 and 2017, Saudi Arabia has executed about 150 prisoners each year, according to rights groups. Some of the people were minor at the age of their sentencing.

Furthermore, Saudi forces have reportedly surrounded the Shia populated city of Qatif after the mass execution and prohibited any mourning ceremony for the victims.

The Saudi Kingdom repeatedly demonstrates no interest in bringing peace to its citizen. In fact Saudi uses any opportunity to degrade human life and suppress the voice of democracy.

More Detentions

Saudi Arabia detained eight people, during first week of the April, including two dual U.S.-Saudi citizens, in a new round of arrests in the kingdom targeting individuals supportive of women’s rights. Most of the arrested individuals are women and one is reported to be pregnant. Activists reported that arrestees were placed under travel bans since February 2019.

Postponed Trials

Saudi court continues to postpone hearings or trials of alleged female activists without any explanations. The court official informed some of the women’s relatives that the session would not take place, citing the judge’s “private reasons” and that he could not provide a new date. Activists believe the authorities postpone trials as a mean to create more mental on the prisoners and their families.

Torture and Abuse

The activists accused the authority of torture however the authorities denied the accusations. Some female activists reported being subjected to electric shocks, sexual abuse and lashings in custody. Pressure on Saudi Arabia over the detention and treatment of political prisoners has resulted in some internal investigation, according to The Guardian. This news outlet stated that according to leaked evidence based medical reports political prisoners in Saudi Arabia are suffering from malnutrition, cuts, bruises and burns.

Travel Ban

Bahraini rights campaigner Ebtisam al-Saegh reported that she was denied entry into Saudi Arabia over the weekend. Al-Saegh said in a post on social media that she was “shocked” by the move from Saudi authorities, arguing that there was no legal justification for denying her entry into the kingdom.

Pakistan

Attack

On April 12th, an attack hit the city’s Hazarganji district, which is home to a large community from the Hazara Shia Muslim minority, claimed 20 lives and wounded at least 48 others. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, claimed the responsibility and in an statement their spokesman, Qari Saifullah, said “We targeted the Hazara community”.

Systematic Kidnaps

A Shia scholar, Seyed Hassan Reza Naqavi, was kidnapped by unknown men after his lecture at a local mosque in Karachi.

Another Shia man, Syed Mohammad Mansoor, was arrested in Karachi on April 1st. The family report that they are not aware of his whereabouts and authorities refuse to comment on his charges.

Shia activists state that the government systematically arrests or “kidnaps” Shia. There are number of Shia who are missing and their families blame the government for it. Number of sit-ins was organized throughout the month and some community members started hunger strike and demanded update from local authorities.

Iraq

At least 15 people were killed in different individual assassinations. Numbers of individuals are attacked every month by unknown masked people mainly in Baghdad.

The government remains unable to protect Shia.

Iran

A Shia scholar was assassinated in Hamadan city by unknown killer. Although Shia scholars are constantly limited by the government, it is not clear what the motive behind this violation is.

Conclusion

Although some mass violations, such as ones done by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain during this month receive some international committees attention, these committees remain unable to prevent such violation or to find these governments guilty for their crimes.

Saudi Arabia authorities beheaded 32 Shia Muslims

Shia Rights Watch strongly condemns the execution of 37 people by the Saudi government. Saudi is making history by its record-breaking executions and human rights violations. The sentences were carried out in Riyadh, the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina, central Qassim province and Eastern Province, home to the country’s Shia minority. Sources report they were sentenced for “adopting terrorist and extremist thinking and for forming terrorist cells.” Saudi government labels and accuses advocates and pro-democracy individuals with terror charges. Anyone who doesn’t support the actions of the King is a “threat to stability” of the nation and therefore deserves to be executed! More than 100 Saudi citizens have been executed during the first four months of 2019. Unfair trials and, arbitrary arrests, lack of evidence, and false accusations have claimed the lives of many Shia in Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh Mohamed AlAttiyah was among the 37 who were beheaded by Saudi Arabia today April 23, 2019. He was serving the large community of Shia in Jeddah.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman started his political career promising reforms and more freedom, yet he has ordered the rounding up of scores of activists, high-profile clerics, analysts, businessmen, and princes, as well as women’s rights defenders who were allegedly tortured by the authorities. Execution of the Shia leader, Nimr al-Nimr and killing of journalist Khashoggi, are a clear example of this government’s lack of desire in bringing peace to its country.

We at Shia Rights Watch send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Especially that this shameless act comes as the Muslims preparing for the Holy month of Ramadan. Shia Rights Watch remains committed to monitor violations in Saudi Arabia and report them. We stand by the people of this country who want a future free from these horrific acts of violence. This NGO also urges international committees to collaboratively put an end to violations in Saudi Arabia.

	Name	Country	City/Town
1	Ahmad Hassan Ali Al Rabee	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
2	Ahmad Hussain Ali Al Aradi	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
3	Ahmad Faisal Hassan Al Darwish	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Malaha
4	Jaber Zuhair Jaber Al Marhoon	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Tarout Island
5	Hussain Hassan Ali Al Rabee	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
6	Hussain Ali Jassim Al Humaidi	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Saihat
7	Hussain Qassem Ali Al Abboud	Saudi Arabia	Al-Hasa
8	Hussain Mohammad Ali Al Musallam	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Malamha
9	Haidar Mohammad Ibrahim Al Leif	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
10	Salem Abdullah Awad Al Amri Al Harbi	Saudi Arabia	Medina
11	Saeed Mohammad Saeed Al Scafi	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
12	Salman Amin Salman Al Quraish	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Showaika
13	Talib Muslim Sulaiman Al Harbi	Saudi Arabia	Medina
14	Tahir Muslim Sulaiman Al Harbi	Saudi Arabia	Medina
15	Abbas Haji Ahmad Al-Hassan	Saudi Arabia	Al-Hasa
16	Abdul Aziz Hassan Ali Al-Sahawi	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
17	Abdul Karim Mohammad A Hawaj	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Alqalea
18	Abdullah Salman Saleh Al Asrij	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
19	Abdullah Adel Hassan Aujan	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Tarout Island
20	Abdullah Hani Abdullah Al Tarif	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
21	Ali Hussain Ali Al Ashour	Saudi Arabia	Al-Hesa
22	Ali Hussain Ali Al Muhanna	Saudi Arabia	Qatif
23	Fadel Hassan Abdul Karim Badad	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
24	Mujtaba Nader Abdullah Al Sweikt	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
25	Mohammad Hussain Ali Al Ashour	Saudi Arabia	Al-Hesa
26	Mohammad Saeed Abd Rab Al Rasool Al Khatam	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Tarout Island
27	Mohammad Abdul Ghani Mohammad Attieh	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Saihat
28	Mohammad Mansour Ahmad Al Nasser	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Malamha
29	Mustafa Ahmad Abdullatif Darwish	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Malamha
30	Muntader Ali Saleh Al Sobaiti	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
31	Munir Abdullah Ahmad Al Adam	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
32	Hadi Yousef Reda Al Hazim	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Al Awamiyah
33	Khaled Hamoud Jawir Al Faraj	Saudi Arabia
34	Khaled Abdul Karim Saleh Al Tuwaijri	Saudi Arabia
35	Sulaiman Al Harbi	Saudi Arabia
36	Yousef Abdullah Awad Al Amri	Saudi Arabia
37	Aziz Mahdi Abdullah Al Rafi Al Amri	Saudi Arabia

Untold Stories, The Suffering of Shia Muslims

Annual report of Anti-Shiism around the Globe

This report reflects investigative work Shia Rights Watch staff undertook in 2018

Shia Rights Watch 2018 Annual Report_2
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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 at the end of 2010, the opportunity was created for Shia Muslims to express their beliefs in regions where they long stood as marginalized people. Along with increased expression, anti-Shia sentiment rose to international headlines, shedding light on faith-based injustice all over the world.

Shia Rights Watch estimates the population of Shia Muslims to be approximately 50% of the Middle Eastern community. While the Islamic faith is perceived to be native to the Middle Eastern region, Shia Rights Watch notes the existence of Shia populations in the West reaching as back as the 8th century. The Shia faith is void of geographically dependent identity, and there exist Shia populations native to all nations of the world. As with the diverse ethnic backgrounds of the international Shia population, dynamics of anti-Shiism, targeting of individuals following the Shia faith, are unique to subpopulations.

This report reflects investigative work Shia Rights Watch staff undertook in 2018 in collaboration with Shia rights activists native to various regions across the world. This report aims to highlight cases of anti-Shiism that endanger the existence of this identity. Factors considered in determining the endangered status of this population include the number of Shia Muslims killed, arrested, and wounded. Also, deviations to the International Bill of Human Rights despite expression of support by nation-states were noted. This report neither reflects all of the work Shia Rights Watch does in terms of which countries we investigate for human rights violations nor does it showcase every single Shia human rights violation.

The absence of a particular state or issue often simply reflects limitations due to the prosecution of human rights activist or lack of verifiable information and should not be taken as a commentary on the significance of the problem. There are many serious Shia rights violations that SRW cannot address. For instance, countries such as Iran, Yemen, Iraq and Syria do have numerous Shia rights violations, however, due to restricted access and dangerous environments, advocates could not pass on critical information to be included in this report. Finally, the focus of this report is to highlight anti-Shia violence against unarmed civilians. This report does not cover the number of casualties that are the results of armed conflict. The Shia Rights Watch condemns all human rights violations regardless of their explicit address in this report.
It should be noted that this analysis does not cover every case of persecution targeting Shia Muslim, and instead focuses on the following human rights violations: murder, maiming, unlawful arrest, revocation of citizenship, and prisoner’s rights. This analysis provides a clear report of confirmed human rights violations targeting the Shia population.

Shia Rights Watch’s monthly analysis, issued throughout the year, contains a more detailed account of issues addressed in the brief summaries of this volume. Monthly analysis can be found on the Shia Rights Watch website, www.ShiaRightsWatch.org.

Minority Status
International law under the United Nations Sub-commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities defines minority populations as groups,
“numerically inferior to the rest of the population of a State, in a non-dominant position, whose members—being nationals of the State—possess ethnic, religious or linguistic characteristics differing from those of the rest of the population and show, if only implicitly, a sense of solidarity, directed towards preserving their culture, traditions, religion or language.”

The United Nations Minority Rights: International Standards and Guidance for Implementation, further notes,
“Minorities, however, do not necessarily have the long ancestral, traditional and spiritual attachment and connections to their lands and territories that are usually associated with self-identification as indigenous peoples.”

Shia Muslims are live as natives and diaspora in all regions of the world. In some nations, they exist as indigenous ethnic distinct groups long recognized as followers of their faith. One such group is that of the Afghan Hazara population, which are targeted both in the native home nation of Afghanistan, but also in countries in which they exist as the diaspora. Shia are not ethnically or linguistically different from their peers, yet they are regarded as inferior and face daily struggles of preserving their right to exist as citizens of their home nations. Approximately 340 million Shia experience some levels of persecution either by their governments, terrorist groups or discrimination by their fellow Muslims.
Interestingly, most of the violations against Shia take place in their very own homelands. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) nations have a remarkable number of Shia. More than 50% of the overall population of the Middle East is Shia. This area of the world is one of the most dangerous places to practice Shiism.

Tactics

Methods of human rights violations against Shia Muslim are diverse.

Arrest

Arbitrary arrest is another widely used method of violation. In the year 2018, arbitrary arrests spiked compared to previous years. Bahrain, a country with a majority status Shia population, has the highest number of arrests. Saudi Arabia comes next in line. Most arbitrary arrests start as raids to Shia communities, spiritual gatherings, congregations in community leaders’ residents, Mosques and Islamic Centers.

Assassinations

Individual assassinations is another common type of violation. Shia Muslims in Pakistan repeatedly report that masked individuals attack Shia professionals or businesspeople at their place of work or during their commute. Assassinations of prominent community leaders identified as Shia occur in significant rates in the nation of Pakistan.
Bombing
Bombing is the most frequent method used to kill and wound Shia Muslims. The bombs used to target Shia Muslims have been a mix of bombs installed into parked cars and individual suicide bombers that set their bombs off in large crowds such as marketplaces or during rush hour. This method is most commonly used in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Other

Minors and women are not immune to such violations. Bahrain has the highest number of children detained with an allegation of terrorist charges due to their participation in pro-democracy protests. Women also make up a notable percentage of prisoners.
Other violations include but not limited to:
● Banning Shia publications, mostly reported from South East countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia.
● Citizenship revocation that results in the removal of one’s right to property, mobility, access to social services, and results in statelessness. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are leading countries with this type of violation toward their native Shia population.
● Violation to rights of prisoners spiked dramatically in the year 2018, too. The authorities postpone hearings and court days as a mean to psychological torture the victims. In some cases, the prisoners were injured under integrations, denied access to medical care, limited in visitation time and forbidden to practice their belief based rituals.

Responsible Party

Terror organizations such as ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Lashkare-Jangvi (among others) in Pakistan are just some entities who have expressed disdain for Shia Muslims, using derogatory language to dehumanize them. Shia Rights Watch recognizes a need for addressing third-party source of anti-Shiism. However, Shia Rights Watch also notes it is unrealistic to negate the government’s’ role in violations, despite the government’s lack of direct involvement in all violations. Thus far, most Shia rights violations reported are directly governmental. In Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Nigeria, Malaysia and Indonesia, the government oversees and orders violations of Shia Muslims. In countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, India, and Azerbaijan, the government’s failure to protect their minorities affects this population’s wellness and is a key driver of anti-Shiism.
Some of the significant factors leading to human rights violations of this minority group is the tendency for sovereigns to create their definitions of the terms “terror,” “terrorist,” and “national security” to propel their state-interests as opposed to using uniform definitions.
By skewing these terms, sovereigns can curtail human rights on the accusation that the person in question is a threat to the physical safety of millions of people as well as a danger to a national identity. For example, according to the Saudi Arabian Terrorism Law Template, a terrorist is defined as someone, who “insults the reputation of the state or its position,” meaning that under the law even peaceful pro-democracy protesters can be punished as terrorists. Not just in Saudi Arabia, the use of vague wording in criminal laws allow officials to violate human rights without restrictions and limitations.

Shifts in Presentations

In the past, persecution and violations were only limited to physical actions such as killings and injuries. Statistically, the number of casualties in the Shia population is reducing. And if we look at the number of victims reported, we might conclude that the world is a better safer place. However, the reality is that persecutions are changing their manifestations. The number of Shia killed during this year might be less than the previous one, but the question is: Does this population feel safe to vote? Can they access higher education and equal employment? Can they practice their faith in the privacy of their home? Are they recognized as lawful citizens? The answer to all these questions is, no. Shia might not be killed but do they have a livelihood? The answer once again is, no.
As much as the reported number of killings has gone down, the number of imprisonment has gone up. Modern persecution are no longer directly violent ones, but they consist in lack of access to information and higher education, isolations and social hostilities, political ostracization, hate speech and more.
The danger of modern persecution is far more than traditional violent persecution. Direct violence is easier to be noticed and reported. However, current persecution does not attract as much attention from the media and governments, and therefore it goes unnoticed.

Country-Based Analysis

Countries examined in this report include Nigeria, Bahrain, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Iraq, Canada, India, Afghanistan, Iran, U.S, Canada, Italy, and Israel. Some of the worst placed for Shia are Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Standard methods of anti-Shia attacks include, but are not limited to, shootings, bombings, torture, home raids, abductions, deportation, denial of medical care, institutionalized anti-Shia laws, stabbings.

AFGHANISTAN

Lack of institutional protection for minorities like Shia Muslims has left this population vulnerable to targeted attacks from extremist groups like ISIS and the Taliban, two groups who consider Shia to be infidels because of their faith.

HAZARA COMMUNITY

Afghan Shia, most of which belong to the Hazara community, live in fear of suicide bombings in their areas of residence. The Hazara minority is a community of ethnically distinct Shia Muslims originating from Hazaristan. The Hazara count has been reduced by approximately 60% of their total population due to anti-Shia targeting by extremist populations. Today, the population lives as diaspora in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and even some Western nations.
Knowing the government has not done much to protect this population, witnesses report that Shia have taken upon themselves to defend their areas.

BOMBINGS

The year 2018 started relatively quietly for Afghanistan but progressing into March and April; there was a sharp spike in anti-Shia incidents. Suicide bombings during these two months alone took the lives of 118 Afghan Shia, wounding 228 others in the process. April 22nd marks a high volume of Shia deaths in Kabul as a result of multiple attacks. Bombers targeted Hazara Shia at voter registration locations, killing 63 and wounding over 100 others as they waited in line to get their voter cards. ISIS claimed responsibility and said they were intentionally targeting Shia. Later that afternoon, a roadside bomb took the lives of 6 others, making it the deadliest day of 2018.
In the first six months of 2018, the total number of Afghan Shia killed rose to 122, and the number wounded in attacks grew to 233.
August stood witness to 2018’s second largest attack on Shia Muslims in Afghanistan. In mid-August, 48 were killed, and 67 were injured in a bombing of a university in Hazara community in Kabul. Those killed were university students. The attack was claimed by ISIS militants.
In another incident, a Shia mosque, Khawaja Hassan, in the Paktia Province in Gardez city, Kabul was bombed while Shia worshippers were carrying-out Friday Prayers. The total number of casualties is expected to grow, but latest reports say at least 39 were killed and 81 were injured. Once again, the bombing was claimed by ISIS.
In September, yet again, Kabul was home to twin bombings targeting Shia communities of the city. On September 5, more than 20 were killed and 70 others injured as ISIS agents detonated explosives near a gym in Dasht-e-Barchi, Kabul. A second explosion in the form of a car bomb was set off 40 minutes later targeting rescue aid.
A day later, Amaq news, reported ISIS’s claim on the incident, conveying their goal of targeting “a gather of apostates.” Last month, 50 students were killed in Dasht-e-Barchi.
In November, Afghanistan witnessed some explosions throughout the month mainly in Kabul. At least 73 civilian casualties are reported throughout the month, with more than a hundred wounded individuals, some of which are in critical condition. Some of the explosions such as one in Malack Asqar, Kabul targeted Shia population and some targeted civilians in mixed communities. Hundreds of ethnic Hazara Shia had gathered outside the presidential palace on November 11th and 12th, angry at the government’s inability to stop recent attacks on predominantly Hazara areas of the province southwest of the capital. A single attack targeting this demonstration on 12th killed at least 6 Shia.
Election and peace talks between the government and Taliban create more opportunity for unrest in the country. Taliban and ISIS are two terrorist groups in Afghanistan, both of have expressed disdain for Shia Muslims.

Targeting Journalist

A trend of violence highlighted in September was the targeting of Shia journalists. The International Federation of Journalists reported Afghanistan was the most dangerous place for journalist during 2018, as 16 journalists lost their lives, 9 of which were covering explosions in Kabul, a large percentage of which was in Shia populated areas. Lack of protection for Shia Muslims has allowed violence to permeate to all Afghan populations.
Shia Rights Watch emphasizes a need for increased security measures in Kabul and recognition of Shia Muslims, the Hazara specially, as targets of violence by extremist groups.

BAHRAIN

Almost a decade after the initial uprising in Bahrain, anti-Shia violence continues in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Relative to 2014, public mass protests have been reduced, yet arrests and systemic discrimination continues. The first half of 2018 stood witness to 1,287 cases of anti-Shiism. Incidents included that of home raids, enforced disappearances, destruction of property and targeted violence. The cases continued into the second half of the year. In June 2018, the European Parliament expressed concern for impunity in Bahraini systems for noncompliance to international human rights documents and “regret” for Bahrain’s award of the European Union Delegation Chaillot Prize.
Themes of mistreatment in government facilities and denial of due process prevail. While abuse of Shia Muslims in Bahrain is diverse in form and widespread, this report highlights a previously unmet need of recognition for Shia detainees.

VIOLATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Despite Bahrain’s signature on International human rights documents such that of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the actions of the Kingdom are non-compliant. Moreover, the actions of the authorities have lead to the progressive deterioration of human rights for Shia Muslims in 2018.

DETENTION

Given the nations demographic of majority Shia and pro-democratic efforts in the past decade, Shia Muslims make up the largest population of detainees in the nation. In order to legitimize arrests and reduce avenues of legal dispute in cases against the government, laws have been ratified by authorities, granting maximal power to the Bahraini courts in defining “treason” and “terrorism” for actions internationally recognized as expression of religious identity or criticism of un-just legal actions. By keeping the definition of “terrorism,” broad, authorities can apply punishments to any number of legitimate civil activities in which they can allege are harmful against the kingdom or which damage national unity. According to The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), charges used against Shias include ‘illegal gathering,’ ‘inciting hatred against the regime,’ ‘money laundering,’ and ‘acts of terrorism.’ These charges have been used to quell peaceful gatherings, religious congregations, as well as other forms of peaceful expression of Shia beliefs, views, and dissenting opinions.
Individuals are detained without due process, are denied legal (private and public) resources, and are mistreated within detainment centers. Arrests occur without warrant and many disappear for days to weeks at a time prior to their families being informed of their location. Sources report extraction of forced confessions as well as torture by military personnel in the both Jaws Prison and Dry Docks Detention Center. Prison authorities use derogatory language that targets the religious identity of the prisoners and prohibit practices based in faith.

PRISON CONDITION

Moreover, in 2018, denial of medical attention for illnesses existing prior to detainment and more importantly those acquired as result of torture and harsh prison conditions rose to the headlines. Investigations into existing medical resources show limitations in allotted medical facilities. Within Jaw Prison, there exists only one general practitioner per shift and a maximum of three medical staff. There are no medical equipments such as x-ray machines and special medication aside of cold and flu medicine is not held within the facility. Prisoners are event denied medication provided to the facilities by their family members.

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

Despite legally allotted financial resources, authorities display a general unwillingness to transfer prisoners in need to sufficient facilities. Those who request external care on basis of lacking facility resources are treated harshly and coerced into surrendering rights through fear of further torture.
The following cases are just a sample of cases of medical negligence by Bahraini prison authorities. Sheikh Mirza al-Mahrous who suffers from illness in his colon, Ammar Sahwan who needs medical attention due to gun wounds, Habib Allawi who suffers from repercussions of birdshot pellets and Sayed Kadhem Abbas who suffers from a brain tumor which is believed to have been exacerbated by his detention are examples of inmates whose right to access medical attention is denied under Bahraini authority supervision. In late August, Abbas reported loss in his eyesight yet denial of medical care was continued.
Aside from lack of medical attention to detainees, conditions in detainment centers are lacking. On numerous occasions, prisoners have expressed lack of running water at their facilities to visiting family members. External inspection reports indicate severe insect infestation and toilets and showers lacking functionality. In combination with ongoing torture and mistreatment by officers, previously healthy individuals have developed permanent medical conditions, many of which are results of infections which could have been avoided by proper sanitation in the facility.

INDIA

Although Islam is one of the nine recognized religions in India, this country is not free from violations against Shia Muslims.
Indian Shia and other Shia residents of India have faced violations of their freedom of religion during Muharram of 2018. Shia of Kashmir report being met with violence in the hands of state operatives while participating in Muharram rituals. Witnesses report raids, violent attacks to Shia Muslims, use of baton-charge and tear-gas shelling on Shia mourners in different areas of the Kashmir, one such area being Srinagar.

ANTI-SHIISM IN THE MEDIA

A recent Bollywood film called ‘Satyamev Jayate’ containing intolerant sentiments of the Shia community was released in 2018. Reported indicate that the movie presents Shia as a violent group and Shia is speaking out against claims. Indian Shia stated the negative portrayal of Shia practices is a major problem considering the role the media plays in shaping a society’s worldview, and films like ‘Satyamev Jayate’ assist in rationalizing Shia discrimination. Given the permeation of international media across state lines, Shia Rights watch notes the movies ability to categorize Shia as violent in the media and fuel marginalization of Shia Muslims all over the world.

TARGETING PROFESSIONALS

Board Chairman Waseem Rizvi of the newly formed Shia Waqf political party in Uttar Pradesh, India, has allegedly received a death threat by email. Waseem claims that the danger comes from a Pakistani-based extremist group called Jamaat-e-Islami. Threats to Shia individuals in positions of power is consistent with regional anti-Shia trends. In the past decade, India has stood witness to direct and indirect violence against Shia Muslims. When their lives are not being threatened, Shia in rising political roles are associated with foreign entities and undermined in patriotism.
Shia Rights Watch contacted the president of India through a letter to express its concern regarding violation of human rights in this country as the Right to Freedom of Religion is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
Anti-Shiism within the media and the targeting of socially prominent Shia Muslims signals a shift in the promotion of cultural violence within and outside India. Bollywood movies are viewed all over the world and serve as a potential source of identity based discrimination even outside India such that acts of anti-Shiism begin trending as a form of pop-culture.

IRAQ

Although a Shia majority country, Iraqi Shia face daily bomb explosion threats in areas rich in Shia population.
As the dominance of ISIS has diminished in Iraq, Shia Rights Watch notes a reduction in an overall level of violence in the country. However, there are still clear incidents of anti-Shiism being enacted all across the countryside. Shia neighborhoods in Baghdad continue to be one of the most affected areas of sectarian violence, and Iraq overall is one of the most turbulent locations for Shia Muslims. In 2018, Iraqi Shia were victims of roadside bombings, suicide bombings, mosque bombings, targeted poisoning, snipers, shootings, and beheadings. January marked the deadliest month during the first half of the year with 48 killed and 140 wounded in a twin blast. During the second half of the year, September was the deadliest with eight killed and 42 wounded in 26 reported attacks throughout the country.

GRAVE DISCOVERIES

Authorities continue finding bodies and mass graves in different parts of Iraq. In July, authorities found 36 more bodies from the Speicher Massacre in a cemetery at Saddam Hussein’s former palace in Tikrit. In the highly publicized 2014 attack, more than 1,700 Shia soldiers were slaughtered by ISIS after the terror organizations took over Camp Speicher military base.
Shia Rights Watch recorded 193 attacks during the year 2018 that resulted in at least 108 killed, 343 wounded. The number of people kidnapped, and damages to the properties is unknown.
As a result of the high volume of killed breadwinners, Iraqis suffer from poverty.
Although Iraq is a prominent destination for millions of Shia Muslims in a number of rituals and religious occasions, the government’s corruption, bad economy, lack of leadership skills, and a growing amount of political interference prevents this country from utilizing opportunities for growth through tourism and other investments.
Moreover, failures to address violent cases of anti-Shiism, Shia Rights Watch argues, is the leading cause of the nations massive impoverished population. In 2017, the rate of poverty in Iraq was announced at 19%. Shia Muslims make up the largest population of impoverished individuals. The continued lack of protection for Shia Muslims and the ever-growing measures taken by terror organizations to identify and target areas dense in Shia population note an increase in poverty in the country. The effects of terror attacks on these populations are augmented as they occur in civilian-rich areas such as marketplaces, leading to the death of male and female guardians and orphancy of millions of Shia children.

IRAN

On September 20th, 2018, two women were arrested in Qum, Iran. Witnesses report that female special security forces raided a Muharram gathering in private property, insulted the participants, forcefully removed headscarf from one of the victim’s head and seized ritual books and other personal materials.
The victim’s families reported that the authorities have previously raided their home, summoned the female victims to the local police station, and ordered them to avoid participating in Muharram rituals, even in the privacy of their homes.
Attacks and arbitrary arrests during the month of Muharram in ritual gatherings is not new. Such violations toward women appear to be a new and worrisome trend.
In October the wife and two daughters of Sheikh Mohammad Hedayati, dissident cleric, were arrested while returning from Najaf by order of the Special Clerical Court.
Mohammad Hedayati is the chairman of the Traditional Clerics Association and resides in the United States. His wife and three and five-year-old daughters were to be transferred to Dastgerd prison in Isfahan and then to Evin prison in Tehran. It is reported that his three-year-old daughter, has diabetes and requires insulin shots after meals. According to the latest reports, they were freed on bail but cannot leave Iran. The daughters are missing school and medical care that they are entitled to in the United States.
Anti- Shia violations in Iran are mainly limited to arrest and raids to clerics in the country. In Iran, clerics are obligated to support the Supreme, or they are considered and treated as anti-government.

NIGERIA

Peaceful Shia protesters are often targeted by Nigerian soldiers and the Nigerian Police force. Freedom of expression is not guaranteed to Shia Muslims in Nigeria, and when they express their rights to expression, it often leads to extralegal killings. Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has written the United States Congress asking them to impose sanctions and an embargo on Nigeria until these inhumane, unjust murders cease to occur.
Nigeria started the year with two cases of Anti-Shiism in January and spiked up to more than 330 by the end of the year. In April, 230 reported peaceful protesters were arrested as they gathered to demand the release of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, an Islamic Movement leader, unjustly held in prison by the Nigerian Federal Government since December of 2015. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, Nigerian police officers opened fire on the group and employed the use of tear gas, killing one person and injuring two others. Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, a prominent leader in the area, remains in state detention despite national orders for his release.
Sources say Governor El-Rufa’i ordered soldiers to open fire on Shia Muslims in Zaria in July as Nigerians were peacefully mourning the tragic killings of 34 Shia by the military under the Jonathan administration in 2015. Also on the 20th of September, the congregation of Shia populations of Zaria gathered in Muharram religious ritual was met with violence from government forces who attacked gatherers with the utmost brutality.
Shia protestors report they are being specifically targeted and are unjust victims of police brutality. Last but not least in October the army opened fire on protesting civilians. The military had admitted killing six members of the Islamic sect between October 27 and October 29, 2018. However the video obtained by New York Times shows at least 26 bodies. The protestors said they had collected a total of 49 bodies during four days of protests. According to the New York Times, some of the corpses had bullet wounds in the back, indicating that they were shot while fleeing. Persecution of Shia Muslims has increased significantly in the past five years. Unlawful attacks and arrests during Shia rituals has created the culture of fear among African Shia and needs to be addressed before this case, like most other anti-Shia cases, becomes an ongoing and spreading violation.
Anti-Shiism in the nation is exacerbated by the corruption and miscoordination in the judicial and executive entities. Nigeria is home to the largest, and fastest growing, Shia population in the African Continent. Nigeria ranks 27 on the wold corruption index, with zero being most corrupt. The case of Shia Muslims is an explicit display of lack of efficiency and coordination between regional and federal judicial systems in the nation. Despite success in pro-Shia efforts within the federal court systems, regional courts in Zaria have shown unwillingness to release Shia prisoners and federally-ordained reparations for families affected by violence by the hands of State officials. State authorities regard Shia individuals agents of Iranian expansion and therefore they actively limit expression of this group, despite the groups ongoing declaration of independence from all political entities, internal and external.

PAKISTAN

Like Afghanistan, Shia Muslims in Pakistan live with the constant threat of targeted terrorism due to a lack of substantial government intervention measures. The radical anti-Shia sentiment is allowed to flourish, making Pakistan a hotbed for violent incidents of anti-Shiism.
The assassination of professionals, attacks to pilgrims, roadside bombs, hate speech and anti-Shia influence of the terror groups on the authorities and the general public are leading causes of Shia sufferings in this country.

INFLUENCE ON AUTHORITIES

In March, a member of the Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama (ASWJ) used his connections at the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam political party to bring charges of blasphemy against 20 Shia Muslims in the Sindh province. This case was a blatant attempt to normalize blasphemy as punishable by law to make religious discrimination in Pakistan systematic, rather than just an extremist sentiment. The fear for Pakistan’s future is that radical groups like ASWJ will continue to assert their influence on the government in a systematic fashion, normalizing violence against the Shia population until anti-Shiism becomes institutionalized.

SUICIDE BOMBS

In July, at least 31 people were killed by an ISIS-affiliated suicide bomber in the Shia majority town of Quetta. The attacker was trying to enter a polling station during Pakistan’s general election when police attempted to apprehend him. He detonated the bomb just outside before the police could reach him. Even though polling resumed in the area shortly after the attack, reports say that voter turnout was significantly reduced. With ISIS’ history of targeting Shia populations, this is an apparent incident of anti-Shiism and an attempt to keep Shias from participating in elections.

TARGETING SHIA PROFESSIONALS

Unique to Pakistan is the targeting of Shia professionals such as lawyers, doctors, policy-makers and businessmen. Individuals identified as practicing Shia Muslims are targeted by terror organizations. In most cases, sources report men on motorcycles shooting at individuals at their workplace or on their daily commute. Car bombs are another form of individual assassinations. Vehicles of prominent individuals are identified and equipped with explosive devices that detonate upon entry. Rarely do car bombs only affect the targeted individuals as their explosion damages nearby property and injures passerbys.

ATTACK TO PILGRIMS

In October, approximately two dozen busses carrying Shia pilgrims were stopped at the inter-provincial borders between Sindh and Balochistan provinces. The pilgrims were on their way to Iraq via Iran. However, the security officials stopped them denying them entry into Balochistan province. Pakistani pilgrims face unique dangers in their travels. Traditionally, pilgrims face specific targeting from terror organizations that have long regarded Shia pilgrimages as “shirk,” or denial of Islamic belief systems. Denial of entry into Balochistan is a display of anti-Shia sentiment within local authorities.
The Shia community protested the denial of entry to Shia pilgrims. The protests are a show of the Shia community’s unwillingness to face discrimination by religion.

HATE SPEECH

Hate speeches are another violation provoking concern in Pakistan. Witnesses report that a cleric in Punjab critiqued his audiences for attending a Shia woman’s funeral. He told the attendees that they are “no longer considered Muslims” and must “convert to Islam.” He further told them that “if they are married, their marriage has to be re-done.” This behavior was previously observed in Saudi trained clerics in Malaysia and Indonesia. The clerics use their platforms to spread anti-Shia ideologies and encourage people to keep a distance from Shia individuals because they are considered non-Muslim. This NGO believes hate speeches are directly linked to increased motivation in suicide bombing such as one that claimed at least 25 Shia Muslims lives and injured dozens outside the door of a religious seminary in Hangu’s Lower Orakzai area on November 23rd.

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia is known as the birthplace of Anti-Shiism as this kingdom not only violate the right of its Shia but fuels and supports such violations internationally. Furthermore, International Anti-terror collaborations created an opportunity for this kingdom to label and charged pro-democracy activists as terrorists.
Like Bahrain, over the past several years, Riyadh has redefined its anti-terrorism laws to target activism and peaceful demonstrations, particularly in the Shia-majority Eastern Province. Government officials and Saudi religious scholars have called Shia “brothers of Satan” and often refer to them using derogatory terms, such as “rafidha” or a plural “rawafidh,” which means “rejectionist.” The Saudis have also implemented a discriminatory educational curriculum wherein the Shia faith is stigmatized, and students from an early age learn to perceive Shia religious beliefs and practices as bad, or “other.” Saudi religious clerics have utilized fatwas and their influence over the judicial system to implement arbitrary criminalization tactics against Shia and their religious practices. Hate speech goes virtually unchecked on social media and in the press which only serves to perpetuate the anti-Shia attitude which currently prevails in Saudi Arabia.

ANTI TERRORIST CHARGES

Saudi Arabia targets Shias with “anti-terrorism” charges. These types of accusations are a long-term practice in Riyadh utilized by the Specialized Criminal Court for sentencing Shia civilians and activists to long imprisonments and death sentences.
During 2018, the United Nations spokeswoman for the United Nations human rights office, Ravina Shamdasani, issued a statement calling on the Saudi Arabian government to release those who have been arrested for peaceful protests and activism.
The year began with one case of reported anti-Shiism in January, but by the end of June had 33 total incidents total. In the first six months of 2018, the total number of incidents of anti-Shiism in Saudi Arabia included three people killed, one wounded, 26 arrested.
In July, Saudi forces arrested Shia cleric Zuhair Hussain bu Saleh in another incident of the Riyadh regime’s persistent clampdown against dissidents and pro-democracy campaigners. Saudi Arabia has banned Shia Muslims from practicing their religion, and authorities have accused Saleh of holding illegal congregational prayers at his home. Zouyer Bussehal was arrested for similar charges. Sources say Bussehal was arrested and given 50 lashes for performing prayers based on the Shia religion at his home. Shia Muslims have not been allowed to set up a Mosque in Khobar to hold formal services. Therefore many clerics hold services of their own that may result in an arrest because authorities claim that congregational prayer meetings held in private homes are illegal. The right to freedom of belief and religion is continuously stripped from the Shia population in Saudi Arabia.

FIRST FEMALE ACTIVIST ON DEATH ROW

First Female Activist and the case of 1st female Death Penalty
Saudi Arabia witnessed a unique incident of anti-Shiism as officials detained 17 high profile female activists. These female activists were arrested for advocating for a progressive reform for women’s rights. The activists are still in detention although the country is moving toward more freedom for women.
The historical act of sentencing a female to death penalty took place in August when Israa al-Ghamgham, a detainee and a female Shia rights activist was sentenced to the death penalty for her involvement in peaceful demonstrations in Qatif. Al-Ghamgham is the first woman to be sentenced to the death penalty. The Saudi regime has arrested some women from the Eastern Province with political involvement accusations, including Naima Al-Moustoud, Fatimah Nassif, Nasima Al-Sada.
Shia Rights Watch raises concern over the case of al-Ghamgham and escalation of human rights violations in the form of direct violence. Moreover, Shia Rights Watch notes a shift in human rights violation that targets female activists, specially those of the Shia faith.

THE CASE OF KHASHOGGI

Following the killing of Jamal Khashoggi in October, the Saudi kingdom has been under international pressure to explain its involvement in the killing of the Washington Post columnist and a critic of the crown prince, at Riyadh’s consulate in Istanbul. Although Saudi Arabia has said the prince, heir to the throne of the world’s top oil exporter, had no prior knowledge of the murder the world is refusing to accept that answer given the country’s long history of suppressing its oppositions. The killing of Khashoggi affected the high-profile investment summit in Riyadh as prominent businesses and media groups have pulled out. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 project, the master project of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is strongly dependent on overseas investment. The killing also prompted some political critiques, too. U.S demonstrators called for an end to the Saudi-led military campaign in neighboring Yemen, which was launched by Prince Mohammed in his role as defense minister in 2015. However, since Saudi Arabia plays a fundamental role in maintaining security in the Middle East this country is given the green light to maintain its human rights violation without the fear of facing serious political consequences. U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis told U.S. senators, in a closed briefing, that “I must note we are seldom free to work with unblemished partners … Our security interests cannot be dismissed, even as we seek accountability for what President Trump described as the ‘unacceptable and horrible crime’ of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder,” Mattis stated to reporters.
Khashoggi’s murder is becoming a worldwide challenge, testing countries for their human rights priorities and political interests. Following the Khashoggi’s case, U.S Senate voted to end its military support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen however the votes were largely symbolic because to become law the resolutions would have to pass the House of Representatives, whose Republican leaders have blocked any legislation intended to rebuke the Saudis.
Although Khashoggi was not a Shia, his case encourages the urgency to revisit to Saudi’s human rights violations. SRW hopes that this case helps bring attention to the ongoing rights violations of the Saudi kingdom and initiate resolutions to end them.
These arrests, violations, threats, and limitation in Saudi Arabia should be viewed as a reiteration that only the government has the power to enact change and that protests against the traditional modus operandi will not be tolerated, leading to an activist arrest by charges that are anti-establishment activities. Based on most recent reports 34 Saudi Shia are still on death row, including four minors. Twelve of these Saudi prisoners are at risk of “imminent” execution.

SYRIA

Following months of relentless attacks on the Shia towns of al-Foua and Kefraya, an estimated 6,000 civilians were evacuated from their hometowns. The two municipalities rank at one of the highest targets of violence amidst war in Syria. Not only were Shia residents in these towns targeted by ISIS militants looking to advance political grounds, but also by religious extremists acting on a cultural belief that Shia is “vermin” in the nation. Also, anti-Iran actors limit aid and humanitarian action in al-Foua and Kefraya as a means to reduce Iranian influence in the country. Discrimination against Shia in the context above is an expansion of a false association of Shia Muslims with the Republic of Iran.
Evacuation efforts come after an unsuccessful extraction effort in April which was targeted by ISIS militants, leading to the death of 150 people, 72 of which were children.
Anti-Shiism in Syria is prevalent, and there has been limited action in meeting the progression of violence against this population. In 2016, Secretary Kerry identified Shia Muslims as targets of militants aiming to “kill them, to fight them, to displace them, and to cleanse the land of their filth.” However, since then, there has been no implementation of programs that are inclusive to the Shia population.
Lack of social and political protection of the Shia community has thus far created grounds for terror activity. With a cultural education of anti-Shiism, non-Shia entities are less willing to provide aid to their Shia counterparts, thus creating opportunities for infiltration of anti-Shia endeavors within the nation of Syria. The frequency of attacks on the towns of al-Foua and Kefraya are explicit signs of a lack of protection for Shia populated areas, and until the Shia populations special needs for protection is met, violence in Syria is sure to continue.

REGIONAL INCIDENTS

Other countries around the world are contributing to the spread of anti-Shiism in a variety of ways. In a recent video published by the head of the Arab media division for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Avichay Adraee commented that the Shia are a threat to the stability of the region, inviting “Arabs and Muslims” to take his advice and resist Iran. Adraee references sources in Islamic literature to warn about the Shia faith, and then talks about the danger of Iran’s influence on the region. Although it is expected for an Israeli officer to have negative comments on Iran and reaction to its political movements, it is not acceptable to degrade a faith or religion and associate them with a specific country. SRW believes such action and comments from the Arab media division of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit is an absolute false association. Limiting Shia to one nation and identifying them as a threat by Adraee is clear evidence that there must be more education and advocacy for Shia rights. Shia Muslims must not be associated with any particular country, political or ethnic group.
There was a similar thread of Anti-Shia rhetoric in South Africa in May with postings such as “If you kill a Shia you go straight to heaven,” and “When walking in the street, or public places, it’s becoming increasingly important to become vigilant as to who may be a Shi’ah, and who may be not. Here are some general guidelines…” These remarks were posted on Facebook accounts and aired on local radio talk shows.
Lest it is thought that anti-Shiism doesn’t affect Shia communities in the West, in February prayer stones in University of Toronto prayer room were vandalized, and a letter was left stating: “To the Shia: No such thing as following Imam Ali. And no such thing as using a stone for praying. ” This is further proof that anti-Shiism sentiment knows no boundaries and can be used against Shia Muslims anywhere, anytime, for any reason.
In the United States, Shia resident of Detroit have reported suspicious activity at their mosque. A Shia mosque on Van Dyke Avenue in Detroit, US state of Michigan, caught fire twice. The first fire happened Saturday, September 22nd, and the second started on the second floor at about 11 a.m. Sunday the 23rd. No one has claimed responsibility.

Conclusion:

In 2018, anti-Shiism purvailed. Efforts of Shia Rights Watch and other minority rights organizations grow to meet the needs of the Shia population, yet change on an international level is needed to acknowledge the endangered state of this population. Nation-States must recognize the violence, both systemic and direct, that limits basic rights of this population.
Unmet cases of anti-Shiism has allowed violence to permeate to all tiers of society. Targeting of Shia populations has not only lead to human rights violations for this group, but it has also left social and economic deficits. Moreover, the lack of protection for Shia Muslims has lead to the continued existence of terrorist activity in all regions of the world. In the nations of Syria and Iraq, cultures which define the Shia identity as one of deviance, ISIS thrive on a constant lack of protection for the population. In Pakistan and India, individuals most contributive to their societies are targeted on the basis of their religious identity, leading to a substantial lacking in their social systems.

Recommendation

To Shia Muslims:

SRW recognizes the decades of ongoing conflict Shia Muslims have had to endure. Shia Muslims all over the world face direct, systemic and cultural discrimination by their religion. SRW believes the first front against human rights violations. Hence, SRW promotes the use of dialogue, education, social engagement and peaceful protests as a means of raising awareness against oppression.
* Shia Muslims must first build an active, educated and aware populace that promotes justice and condemns anti-Shiism.
* Minority groups have the right to demand equality in their communities. However, SRW warns against the use of violence to demand rights. At its core, Shia Islam denounces violence while encouraging education and peace-building endeavors.
* SRW encourages active participation of Shia Muslims in their nations legislative process such to show active citizenship.
* Further, Shia Muslims must contact their national officials volunteering participation in dialogues and planning that directly, and indirectly effects their communities.
* Establish and build coalition with other minorities in your country. Through coalitions disempowered can develop their power and together you can defend your interest with stronger voice.

To Leaders and Governments:

* SRW invites governments and Shia Muslim leaders to take steps towards building a better rapport and mutual respect.
* Governments must recognize their Shia population as a rightful citizen who are entitled freedom, security, education and economic advancement as the rest of the society.
* We further encourage taking advantage of nonviolence and peaceful approaches Shia Islam offers to create communities in which people from all faith, ethnicity, religion, color, and background live happy and productive lives.
* Attacks against Shia Muslims are dense on religious occasions such as Ramadhan and Moharram, and that in religious centers. Protection of major Shia centers on religious occasions can reduce the casualty count significantly.
* SRW invites governments to allocate resources and management to the protection of Shia Muslims ,especially in these two Holy months.
* Further, SRW encourages the co-creation of security plans by both Shia Muslims and their governments. Cooperation between Shia Muslims and their policy makers instills trust in both parties and thus can lead to long-term positive social change. While state leaders are the official decision-makers in the nation, Shia Muslims are targets of a significant portion of violence.
* SRW also invites governments to establish relationships with their Shia Muslim communities through their leaders and Marja’. Marja means “source to imitate/follow” or “religious reference,” is a title given to the highest level Shia leaders. Maraji’ (plural of marja) are influential resources within the Shia communities, thus they can be a great source of encouragement for human rights involvement.
* We invite governments to free political prisoners and treat detainees with fairness as a sign of their intention to rebuild healthy relationships with their Shia Muslim constituents.
* SRW encourages the governments to revisit their definition of “terrorist” and exclude peaceful and pro democracy protester as terrorist. Saudi Arabia for example, partially, defines terrorist as anyone who intends “to change the ruling system in the Kingdom”.
* Governments are asked to conduct independent and impartial investigation of prosecutors and other law enforcement officials who used maltreatment and torture toward prisoners and prosecute those found responsible.
* Ensure all trials are open to public, and guarantee due process.
* Acknowledge that the detainees have the right to select unbiased lawyer. The government must provide free lawyers, in case of the detainees financial hardship, however they must have the freedom to choose a lawyer of their choice.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism in March, 2019

Anti-Shiism in the form of direct violence, discrimination, and marginalization, was reported in number of nations during this month.

Bahrain

Bahrain continues to be the most dangerous county for Shia Muslims.

Condition of Prisons, and Violation to Prisoner’s Rights

As the imprisonment raise in Bahrain, prisons’ conditions is declining dramatically. Human rights activists reported that number of female activists have been denied communicating with their family members. The families complain that the status and wellbeing of the women is not clear as they have not been permitted to call anyone. Amira Al-Qashaami as well as the two sisters Fatima and Iman Ali Abdullah is among those whose families are concerned due to the lack of communication between them and the inmates.

March 5th marked second years behind the bar for the female activists Hajer Mansoor Hassan, whose conviction has been recognized as “unlawful” by the UN. Hassan was sentences to three years in prison. As number of other prisoners, Hassan’s access to health care and phone calls to home is denied according to right groups.

Extension of detention, or postponing the trial dates have been utilized as a mean of mental torture to the inmates and their families by authorities in Bahrain. Manama’s public prosecutor extended the detention of Bahraini female detainee, Hadeer Abadi, by an additional 30 days. The 25-year-old was detained after being summoned for questioning. However, the authorities are yet to release any information about her charges.

Minors in Prisons

Minors are charged for taking part in protest as the government considers protests “illegal gathering” in Bahrain. Hussein Radhi and Ali Hussein Abdulwahab spent almost one month behind bars before they were released. The minor’s trial was set to commence on March 17. The third minor, Hassan Hamza, was also detained and his detention was extended for additional week since the public prosecutor’s office failed to deliver the 14-year-old’s file to the designated judge in time for Thursday’s hearing.

Also, Sayed Ali Taha, 15 years old, who has been in the custody of Manama’s security services, was transferred to Dock Detention Center without explanations.

Oppositions

On March 13th, Manama court sentenced Bahraini opposition Ebrahim Sharif to six months in prison over his critical tweet of Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir. The court found Sharif guilty of ‘insulting the head of a foreign state’. He was granted bail for the appeal process in the amount of 500 Bahraini dinars (just over USD 1,300). Sharif denies the charges against him, arguing that his tweets fall within the realm of freedom of opinion.

Bahrain Court continues to arrest and charge people for their participation in sit-in, organized in support of Sheikh Isa Qassim that took place in 2017. So far 167 people have been convicted by charges related to that sit-in.

Bahrain repeatedly arrests and convicts its citizen accusing them of political movements.

Rights groups have repeatedly accused Manama of jailing Bahraini minors, females and activists without proper cause and then subjecting them to ill-treatment in detention.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi court announced that female activists who have been detained during crack downs since last year will face trial. The authorities did not specify charges or court dates. The announcement shocked human rights groups. The activists have reported ill treatment and even sexual harassment however the authorities have not taken any measures to investigate the reports. Human rights agencies have repeatedly asked the Saudi court to release the women without any conditions however Saudi authorities accuse the activists of organizing political movement.

Beside domestic violations, Saudi Arabia’s active involvement in Yemen concerns the international committees. Five British parties called for an end to arms sales to Saudi Arabia on the fourth anniversary of the Saudi-Yemeni aggression on Yemen, which led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Germany was first country to take initiative in addressing Saudi’s misuse of arms against civilians. This country announced that it would not approve new arms exports to the kingdom until further notice. Finland and Denmark followed the lead and halted their sales. However, no country comes close to the United States in major weapons supply to Saudi Arabia. Over the past five years the US accounted for 61% of major arms sales to this country. In the month of February The U.S House voted to withdraw U.S.

Although more actions must be taken to stop Saudi’s human rights violation in its country and its involvement in humanitarian crisis elsewhere, SRW believes withdrawing support and banning arm sale are a great start. This NGO also believes that such actions are the result of human rights reports that highlights and report the violations done by Saudi Kingdom.

Iraq

Although ISIS is losing ground in Iraq, this group managed to attack a Turkaman tribe killing as many as 20 people.

Also, Iraqi security forces discovered another mass grave in the north of the country. As many as 65 bodies were found and taken to be identified. Numbers of mass graves have been discovered in Iraq during last decade.

According to authorities, at least 7 people are killed during individual assassinations by armed and masked men in the month of March.

Iraq continues to face attacks, killings, and insecurity. Most of such incidents are not reported as they have become a norm of the society. SRW believes normalization of human rights violation is dangerous and must be addressed. Iraqis, as all other people, have the right to peace and security. Therefore the violations they face must be covered by media and national and international committees must take active steps to stop them.

Pakistan

Balochistan University Superintendent Sayyed Hussein Shah was shot and killed in the Pakistani city of Quetta during this month.

Pakistani Shia have complained about mysterious “enforced disappearance” of their family members. The families organize sit-in to protest the government’s inactivity and lack of support. A sit-in took place in Karachi during this month as well.

Pakistani Shia have asked their local governments to secure their areas however lack of government’s protection has claimed many Shia lives.

Afghanistan

At least 6 people have been killed and 23 others wounded in multiple explosions in Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul during celebrations to mark Nowruz, the start of their New Year. The blasts reportedly occurred near Kabul University and the Kart-e Sakhi shrine on Thursday.

Important celebrations and gatherings have been targeted by ISIS, Taliban and other group in pats. Last year on Nowruz, a bomb attack carried out by ISIS terrorists killed 33 people celebrating near the shrine.

France

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said in a statement that four centers of the Shia community would be suspended in his country. The authorities stated that the centers are “Iran-backed”.

SRW encourages the French to dis-associates general Shia population from specific country as not all Shia are representative or dependent on Iran.

Shia Rights Watch continues to monitor and report violations to increase awareness and reduce the discriminations against minorities.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism in February, 2019

Anti-Shiism, in the form of direct violence, discrimination, and marginalization, was reported in the nations of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq. It is important to note that cases of violence stated in this report are only a sample of the incidents of anti-Shiism faces by the worlds Shia minority. Shia Rights Watch recognizes that incidents of violence are in large part not reported as many religious minorities live in fear of further persecution based on their religious identity.

Bahrain continues to be the most dangerous county for Shia Muslims. Bahraini female detainee Zakiya Issa Al-Barboury was given five-year-prison sentence and stripped of her citizenship. Al-Barboury was accused of alleged ‘terrorism’ offenses after being arbitrarily detained in May of last year.

Also during this month, several Shia mosques and religious gathering places were razed as they commemorated the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra, the daughter of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon Him) as part of their Shia rituals. Local activists reported that security forces removed black flags and banners put up in public places to commemorate the occasion overnight.

Sayed Al Meshaal was summoned for questioning and detained at the start of February for allegedly ‘inciting hatred against the regime. The cleric then was arrested, just days after completing a two-and-a-half-year prison term. The cleric was released after almost one month of unexplained detention.

As SRW predicted the Shia rights violation rose during this month as it marks the 8th anniversary of Bahrain 2011 uprising. On February 13th, forces raided Diraz, A’ali, Buri, Sitra, Eker, Shakhura, Nuwaidrat, and Karzakan and arrested as many as 23 people. Protests and sit-ins also rose on February 14th, and another 13 were arrested as a result.

Hussein Radhi, Ebtisam Al-Saegh and Ali Hussein Abdulwahab were picked up by the kingdom’s security forces over the weekend after their homes were raided in the northern Bahraini village of Al Musalla. The Bahraini minors have been remanded in detention over their alleged involvement in an illegal gathering – a charge commonly used by Manama to describe peaceful anti-regime protests. According to local rights campaigner teenagers are denied the right to contact their parents.

Furthermore, The Bahrain Court revoked the citizenship of 11 Shia and sentenced 7 of them to life in prison for their involvement in pro-democracy movements. The UK-based Salam for Democracy and Human Rights announced in a post published on its official Twitter page that “the Manama regime has stripped 40 people of their citizenship since January” 2019.

The activists report that authorities refuse to engage in dialogue with the demonstrators, who are peacefully demanding reforms. The government has not shown any effort to address the need of the community.

Other violations were reported in Iraq and Pakistan. A bus was exploded in Iraq’s Samarra killing at least 13 people. Samarra is home to two Shia Shrines that were bombed and exploded in 2006. Activists in Pakistan also reported that the Interior Ministry of Pakistan had issued the notification against Shia Muslims ahead of Muhammad Bin Salman’s visit in Pakistan.

They state that the hateful words against the Shia community were used in the notice, and several activists were detained too.

Shia Rights Watch continues to monitor and report violations to increase awareness and reduce the discriminations against minorities.

International Day of Social Justice

Two billion people live in fragile and conflict-affected situations world-wide. Among those most affected are religious minorities, including Shia Muslims.

February 20th marks the International Day of Social Justice. This day calls for the renewal of commitments against social barriers that inhibit the advancement of any group, regardless of gender, race, religion or culture.

Shia Rights Watch invites members of the global community to uphold principles of peace and coexistence because, together, peace is possible.

Bahrain Uprising Anniversary: 8 years of ongoing violations

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 and villages such as Diraz, A’ali, Buri, Sitra, Eker, Shakhura, Nuwaidrat and Karzakan.

Bahrain, a dominantly Shia populated country, has become the most dangerous place for this population. Since the uprising in 2011, an alarming upsurge in arbitrary and abusive force by security forces has been reported.

Bahraini Shia live under extreme human rights detriment as violations toward them increase and expand without any international interventions.

The condition and quality of human rights have gone down since 2011. SRW receives massive reports on arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture and ill-treatment under interrogation, and even worse conditions in prisons every year.

People of Bahrain show their disapproval of the authority’s violations through peaceful protests. Despite the nonviolent nature of their activism, Bahrainis are faced with arrests, tear gas, crackdowns and gunshots. In some incidents, large armored vehicles were filmed driving towards protesters, appearing to fire tear gas at people causing life threatening injuries. Those injured are faced with refusal of medical attention as doctors and hospitals fear association with protestors. Families of those killed are not allowed to perform religious funeral rituals for their ones. Human rights activists and Shia leaders are constantly arrested or sentenced to long prison terms. Prisoners describe being beaten, forced to stand for extended periods of time and threatened with rape by officers of the National Security Agency. Their access to water, food and basic prisoners rights are limited and they have to pay some of the costs associated with imprisonment such as their uniform.

It is reasonable to claim that ongoing fear and insecurity affects the economy and development, in addition to the overall health of society. Systematically discriminated against in employment and scholarship opportunities, Shia do not have full access to higher education and fair employment, which affects their wellbeing and the wellbeing of the society. Moreover, military rampage in Shia neighborhoods have lead to the destruction of Shia businesses. Unhappy citizens cannot fully function in the growth of society when that are struggling to keep their families safe.

In order to rebuild Bahrain, the authorities need to be open to dialogue and resolutions, says SRW. They have to regain their citizens’ trust by equal treatment and by releasing peaceful protestors immediately and unconditionally. SRW emphasizes that authorities in Bahrain must refrain from using excessive force against protesters as mass protests can be expected during February.

This NGO invites Bahraini authorities and protestors to utilize peaceful means to rebuild an inclusive Bahrain, where all members of the society are free to contribute to the development and growth of the nation.

Statement of Condemnation on Beheading of the Child Zakaria al-Jaber in Saudi Arabia

SRW Official Statement of Condemnation on Beheading of the Child Zakaria al-Jaber in Saudi Arabia

Shia Rights Watch strongly condemns the callous killing of Zakaria al-Jaber in Saudi Arabia and offers its condolences to his family and to humankind in general.

On February 6th, 2019, Zakaria al-Jaber, age 6, was beheaded by a taxi driver in Medina, Saudi Arabia after confirmation of his Shia faith.

Zakaria traveled with his mother on Sultan Abdel Aziz highway toward the Shrine of Prophet Mohammad. Following his mother’s praise of the Prophet and his family, the driver inquired if she was a member of the Shia faith. Minutes after she responded in confirmation, the car was stopped and Zakaria was ripped from his mother’s arms. The driver then repeatedly stabbed the child in the neck, beheading him using a piece of broken glass as the mother watched.

Interventions were not made by nearby witnesses. Despite his mother’s pleadings, no one stepped in to stop the belligerent killing of Zakaria. Details of the incident were confirmed to Shia Rights Watch by the Jaber family.

The beheading of Zakaria in public is the result of the ongoing violation of human rights against Shia Muslims by state and local actors in the nation of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Shia live under military seizure in the Kingdoms worst civil infrastructures. Visible association with Shia Islam is deemed a criminal offense and numerous Shia Muslims are on death row for demanding equal rights under the Saudi Law.

Shia Rights Watch expresses great concern for not only the family of Zakaria, but also for the safety of Shia communities in the Kingdom. Shia Rights Watch has long advocated for the rights of Shia Muslims in the nation of Saudi Arabia. The time has come for the international community to join together, demanding justice for the brutal murder of Zakaria al-Jaber.

Shia Rights Watch, the first outlet to report and monitor this violation, remains committed to investigating violations toward Shia Muslims. The organization calls upon the Saudi government to condemn anti-Shiism and the wrongful targeting of Shia Muslims. Prosecution of anti-Shiism and the establishment of equal rights for Shia Muslims must be officiated in King Mohammad bin Salman’s call for reform.

Moreover, an investigative committee must be established by unbiased entities, on national and international platforms, to address the existence of cultural, social and direct violence faced by this population and to enforce justice for the victim of human rights violations in Saudi Arabia.

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A six years old child was beheaded in Saudi Arabia

In an unprecedented incident, a six year old boy, now recognized as Zakaria al-Jaber was beheaded in front of his mother after he was confirmed to be Shia.

The mother and son took a cab to visit the shrine of Prophet Muhammad in Medina. While on the Sultan Abdel Aziz highway, mother of six-year-old invoked blessings {salawat} on Muhammad (S), by stating {“O Allah! Bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad”}. The blessing was stated in a syntax specifically used by Shia Muslims.

The driver asked the mother if they are Shia Muslims. She responded yes.

Sources within the family report the child had asked for something to eat. The mother asked the driver to stop by a store to purchase some snack for the child.

Upon stopping the car, the driver pulled the child away from his mother and attacked him with a broken piece of glass. Witnesses report the child was beheaded from the back of his head as his mother watched and screamed.

There was no intervention by viewers at the time of the incident. No response from authorities has been announced thus far.

The Saudi Shia community came together today in mourning and to show solidarity with the parents of Zakaria. The community reported this incident is a result of ongoing violations and lack of protection by the Saudi authority for its Shia population.

Saudi Shia have been under a military crackdown by their government and many Shia activists are in prisons and on death roll.

Shia Rights Watch, among other NGO’s have long advocated for the rights of this minority through national and international campaigns at the United Nations. However, the population still suffers because of the lack of international commitment to end such violations.

Beheading of a young child in such manner must be addressed immediately, says Director of Shia Rights Watch, Mustafa Akhwand.

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Welcome to Shia Rights Watch

Annual report of Anti-Shiism around the Globe

This report reflects investigative work Shia Rights Watch staff undertook in 2018

Introduction

Tactics

Arrest

Assassinations

Other

Responsible Party

Shifts in Presentations

Country-Based Analysis

AFGHANISTAN

HAZARA COMMUNITY

BOMBINGS

Targeting Journalist

BAHRAIN

DETENTION

PRISON CONDITION

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

INDIA

ANTI-SHIISM IN THE MEDIA

TARGETING PROFESSIONALS

IRAQ

GRAVE DISCOVERIES

IRAN

NIGERIA

PAKISTAN

INFLUENCE ON AUTHORITIES

SUICIDE BOMBS

TARGETING SHIA PROFESSIONALS

ATTACK TO PILGRIMS

HATE SPEECH

SAUDI ARABIA

ANTI TERRORIST CHARGES

FIRST FEMALE ACTIVIST ON DEATH ROW

THE CASE OF KHASHOGGI

SYRIA

REGIONAL INCIDENTS

Conclusion:

Recommendation

To Shia Muslims:

To Leaders and Governments: