SRW’s Letter to the G7 Leaders- Addressing Arm Sale and Peace Building Plans

Respected leaders and members of the G7,

I am writing to you on behalf of Shia Rights Watch, a not-for-profit research entity and advocacy group headquartered in Washington D.C. U.S.A. Shia Rights Watch holds a 501(c) status, as well as a Special Consultation Status (ECOSOC) with the United Nations.

With conflicts such that of opposing regional hegemonies, tensions run high in the Eastern hemisphere. As harbors of democracy, the responsibility of establishing world peace is in the hands of governances like yours. Your actions are accepted as the epitome of the democratic free world. Thus, we write to you inquiring of your next steps in the establishment of peace endeavors in the Middle East and North Africa, specifically in relation to arms sales your nation has.

Arms deals by Western nations, although create revenue, have extreme repercussions on the rest of the world. With the 43^rd annual Group of 7 meeting, we encourage you to take the following into account.

Arms sales to nations such that of Saudi Arabia fuels sectarian strife within the region.

Sales of arms to Saudi Arabia, in addition to increasing religious based conflicts, augments already existing targeting of minority groups through the promotion of radicalism and extremist education. For years, Saudi Arabia has been promoting the discriminatory ideals of Wahhabism. One such minority group is that of Shia Muslims. Saudi Arabia elicits violence upon this group as means of pressuring Iran based on a falsified association of these two entities.

Both domestically and on foreign grounds does Saudi Arabia target Shia Muslims in addition to other minorities. Whether it be the siege of Awamiya or the funding of terror organizations and schools worldwide, arms sold to Saudi Arabia are used to incite terror.

As we understand the economic benefit of arms sales, we invite you to prioritize your humanitarian values as well. In addition, we encourage international collaborations that would increase peaceful coexistence and promote the rights of minorities all over the world.

Sincerely

Shia Rights Watch

Bahrain Court Sentenced 17 to Imprisonment

Tensions run high in Bahrain as 17 are sentenced to imprisonment. Sources report, Bahraini forces used excessive force and shot at groups of youth in peaceful protest. Of the 17, five were sentenced to life in prison, three were sentenced to 10 years (each) in detainment. Eight were revoked of citizenship.

Earlier in May, Bahraini court sentenced Shaikh Isa Qasim to a suspended year long term in Bahraini jail. Protests following Qasim’s arrest have resulted in the arrest of 286 and the death of five. Protestors were assembled in a peaceful sit in around Qasims home to prevent police from entering the home.

The struggle for recognition in Bahrain has been long and hard. Since the Arab Spring of 2011, Shia Muslims of Bahrain have stood against the tyranny of a minority government. Although their efforts remain free of international support, protestors have stood by their words and have given their all in the struggle for freedom. Protestors demand equal rights to their non-Shia counterparts and representation within the government.

Bahrain is a majority Shia nation led by a minority non-Shia government. With Saudi support, the Bahraini government has limited and undermined its Shia population and ignored all efforts for organized discourse.

Fears of increased violence towards the opposition exist after the newfound authority and arms given to Saudi Arabia by the United States President. Sources claim, since the recent Arms deal, increased force has been used in the targeting of Shia Muslims in gulf countries.

Shia Rights Watch calls for increased international attention on the case of Bahrain. Further, SRW asks the Bahraini government to refrain from violence towards protestors and demands grounds for dialogue and discourse.

SRW’s Ramadan Letter to all Embassies in USA

Dear Ambassador,

This Ramadan, Shia Rights Watch invites you to join the thousands if not millions of Shia Muslim in your nation by renewing your commitment to promoting unity among the masses.

We ask that you be mindful of your Muslim constituents in this month as they hold fasts. Ramadan holds within itself the spirit of devotion to reconciliation for self and community. Muslims use this month as an opportunity to build united front against extremism and hate by promoting love and commitment.

This year SRW encourages establishing mutual understanding and brotherhood among not only Muslims but constituents of all faiths. Let us join as one global community with the same rights and authority for self- care and communal advancement.

Together with your help, we can take the necessary steps to establish the building blocks of a year of prosperous peace. Join us in creating a resolution by which all minority populations especially that of the Shia population are treated as equals in the eye of the law and even social constructs such that targeting a group is no longer feasible economically, politically, or socially. Join us in using the essence of justice and charity, both prominent principles for this holy month, in educating not only ourselves, but others in basic human rights and encourage their implementation in our surroundings.

We entrust this message of peace to you in hopes that your actions and words will acts as advocates of peace in both your home nation and the United States of America.

Sincerely,

Shia Rights Watch

Right to Education- Case of Shia Children

hrc — A wide view of the Human Rights Council. Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré

In advocacy effort for Shia children and their rights to education, the following statement is submitted by SRW to the 35th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva

Greetings esteemed colleagues and member states,

Right to education and raising children who are tomorrow’s peace builder are one of the priorities Shia Rights Watch. Violation to the right of education is and will cost the world not just economically but sustainability and development. Millions of children are denied access to education due to war or unrest in their counties.

Armed conflicts, wars, unrest and raids are affecting not just life of the children and young people, but their future as well. Children at war zones or ones living in areas where their security is constantly threatened are confronted with physical harm, violence, danger, exploitation, fear and loss. Many children are forced to flee and some witness the death of loved ones.

Children, those whom the future of humanity and development is relied upon, are living under poverty, face displacement, struggle emotionally, and most importantly are restricted from education.

Children of Syria and Yemen cannot attend school either because their schools were bombed, or their parents are fearful to send them to school as many children have been attacked, kidnapped or raped on their way to school. Shia children of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan live under fear of their governments or terror groups preventing them from full access to school and education.

In other parts of the world, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, most Gulf counties, Shia children are forbidden from learning about their faith and culture. They cannot even identify as Shia since that will increase discriminations toward them by school and staff.

Young people who should be thriving, learning, experimenting and use imagination and creativity to build a better world are oppressed to the point that they live on day to day survival.

Shia Rights Watch calls on world leaders to protect education by criminalizing attacks, prohibiting the use of schools by armed groups, and working with schools and communities to preserve schools as centers for learning. It urged the international community to increase education funding including teacher training, books publications and mobile libraries for Shia communities.

Sincerely,

Shia Rights Watch

Bahraini Forces Raid the Town of Diraz, killing 1 and Arresting 50

Early Tuesday morning, Bahraini forces raid the town of Diraz, killing 1 and arresting more than 50 peaceful protesters.

Diraz has been under siege in fear of social unrest. Conflict rises in the village of Diraz in Bahrain after the detainment of Shaikh Isa Qasim. Qasim was arrested days prior on alleged charges of money laundering. The Shia community denies charges as the money in Qasim’s possession is Khums, a collection of money donated by Shia members of the community as charity. This money is entrusted to Qasim as he is a religious figure in the area.

In his time, Qasim promoted democratic ideals and called for recognition and protection of Shia Muslims. However, Qasim has been treated less than ideal for his activism by the discriminatory forces of the Bahraini government.

Dissent in Bahrain is an effort to obtain basic human rights of recognition and peace, and until those needs are met, Social unrest will continue to rise.

During his time in the gulf area, Shia Rights Watch asks Donald Trump to stand for democracy and promote peace building efforts within gulf nations. SRW asks that President Trump take into account the human rights condition of Bahrain in their negotiation

50 Shia Muslims Killed in Hama

Despite international efforts to thwart ISIS crimes, ISIS continues to target and kill minority groups in Syria. Fueled by radicalistic ideology, ISIS militants target any and all religious groups with beliefs in deviation of their own beliefs.

Sources report ISIS raids in the Hama province of Syria. Hama is heavily populated with Shia communities. Over 50 were killed, majority of which were women and children. Bricks, rocks, and artillery were used in massacring villagers, after which their bodies were dismembered. While some bodies were retrieved and taken to the hospital coronary, many were left beyond retrieval or recognition.

The war in Syria continues despite international efforts. Shia Rights Watch condemns acts of violence towards any and all populations, and calls for increased aid for Syrian minorities under attack by ISIS.

Case of Sheikh Isa Qassim, Violations Continues in Bahrain

Bahraini government fines, strips nationality, and gives jail time to Sheikh Isa Qassim, another Bahraini Shia cleric.

Suspended jail time in addition to $265,000 fine of Sheikh Isa Qassim is another example of Bahrain’s religious discrimination and controlling of religious freedom.

Sheikh Qassim was accused and charged of illegal fundraising and money laundering when in reality he managed Khums as part of his role as a cleric.

Khums is a religious due practiced among Shia Muslims as a mean to solve economic issues in the society. Each working Shia Muslim pays one fifth of his/her income once a year to a religious figure of their choice. It is the duty of that figure to use the money for publications, charity and other needs of the society.

As a result of such unfair treatment, many pro-democracy Bahrainis protested to voice their disapproval of the government’s actions. The government creates social turmoil in the Shia populated areas by falsely charging their leaders.

Bahraini kingdom uses any excuse to charge Shia leaders. Punishing a Shia clerc for doing his job of taking care of poor using Khums is in no way justified, believes Shia Rights Watch.

Member of the Shia Community Kidnapped in Madagascar

Yanish Ismail, a member of the Shia community in Madagascar was reportedly kidnapped by 14 armed assailants. Sources say Ismail was taken from the Shia cemetery amidst a funeral on the 14^th of May, 2017.

Yanish is the son of Daniel Ismail, a prominent Shia businessman centered in Madagascar.

The kidnapping of Ismail some claim are a sign of the spread of anti-shiism in Madagascar.

Anti-Shiism in the First quarter of 2017

The First quarter of 2017, have witnessed over 296 tragic deaths, more than 875 wounded most of which were in Iraq. Anti-Shiism also continued in the form of detainment in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Anti-Shia efforts furthered in revocation of citizenships of Bahraini pro-democracy advocates and kidnapping of Shia Muslims in Madagascar. The Systematic violence against Shia professionals in Pakistan has left many families without husband and father.

First Quarter of 2017

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