Shia News Wire # 72

Bahrain

Despite efforts of humanitarian organizations, the Kingdom of Bahrain continues to denounce the citizenship of its citizens. On June17th, the Bahraini government revoked the citizenship of 2 and sentences 8 others to 15 year jail sentences for alleged “instigation of violence”. For years, Bahraini officials have targeted pro-democracy Shia Muslims through detainment and revocation of citizenship.

Tensions in the nation continue to rise as the government aims to increase its involvement in religious affairs on the kingdom. On the 19th of June, the al-khalifa regime announced a statement to religious authorities in the country that khoms, a shia religious taxation, must be announced to the government. Shia leaders and scholars have strongly denounced said statement by the government and condemned the officials involvement with the groups religious affairs. Khoms consists of 20% of Shia individuals savings that is donated to leading Shia scholars to be used for public use (ie. reduce poverty, increase education availability, etc).

Saudi Arabia

On June 19th, Saudi forces arrested Shaikh Jafar Sweileh. Sweileh has been a prominent figure in defending the freedom of expression through his words and writing.

on June 23rd, Abdulrahim Ali al-Faraj was shot to death after Saudi forces stormed his home in Awamiyah.

After decades of systemic oppression, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to target Shia Muslims through unjust prosecution and repression. The rights of this population has been continually ignored as they are treated as second class citizens.

Iraq

Attacks targeting Shia densities of Iraq continue as a total of 34 deaths centered in cities of Baghdad, Tuz Khurmato, and Mahmudiya. Improvised explosive devices, gunfire, and suicide car bombs have been the leading casualty creators.

SRW Urges Bahrain to Re-Establish Citizenship of Shia Figures

Shia Rights Watch strongly condemns human rights violations toward Shia figures in Bahrain as this kingdom revoked citizenship of another Shia cleric, Shaikh Isa Qasim .
On June 20th, the Kingdom of Bahrain renounced the citizenship of Shaikh Isa Qasim, a prominent Shia leader and a pro-democracy activist Qasim was renowned for his spiritual leadership and his founding of Shia Institutions. With rights under pressure, Shia Muslims of Bahrain have gathered in Qasim’s home town of Diraz in support to his efforts.
Shia Rights Watch (SRW) condemns any and all acts of violence against Shia Muslims in Bahrain. With aims of establishing peace and dialogue in the region, SRW asks Bahraini officials to re-establish the citizenship of not only Sheikh Isa Qasem, but all other Shia Muslims whose rights have been denied on the basis of faith.

Interactive dialogue with Item 3- Clustered ID with the Special Rapporteur on internally displaced persons and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions

Shia Rights in Azerbaijan

Greetings esteemed colleagues and member states,

Despite recent efforts to improve intercultural awareness and promote equality for all, there has been regions of the world with deteriorating quality of life for minority populations. One such nation is Azerbaijan. Although Shia Muslims are not minority in this country, they have been treated as one with limited freedom. In the past decade, the Shia of Azerbaijan have fallen victim to targeting by state and non states. Time and time again, their public presence was reduced by eradicating their centers of religious practice and imprisonment of Shia scholars. As of today, there exists over 150 Shia activist and 18 Shia scholars imprisoned on basis of religious expression and identity.

Once a secular nation, the nation of Azerbaijan is under increasing influence of anti-Shia narratives from neighboring nations, and facing a growing anti-Shia ideology. Such ideology is also fueled by a growing and false narrative by which the Shia population is associated with foreign political entities.
Sincerely,

Shia Rights Watch

Shia News Wire # 71

June 10th to 17th/ 2016

In the past week, over 50 lives were lost in the nations of Iraq and Syria in series of attacks targeting areas dense with Shia Muslim.

Iraq

In Iraq, Baghdad topped the charts yet again with over 50% of the total casualties. On average, there has been one improvised explosive device detonation on each day of the week, leading to the death of 25 civilians.

Syria

In Syria, the detonation of three explosive devices led to the death of 20 and injury of dozens more in the Sayyida Zainab town. Sayyida Zainab is located south of Damascus and is home to the shrine of Prophet Muhammad’s granddaughter. Sayyida Zainab is one of the more prominent Shia neighborhoods of Syria. In the attack, two suicide bombers and one car bomber detonated their devices. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for this attack.

Bahrain

Injustice continues in the Kingdom of Bahrain as Nabeel Rajab was detained, yet again. On 14 of June, Rajab was taken in custody and charged with spreading “false” information with aims of “discrediting the state”. Sources tell SRW that Rajab is to be held for a seven day period (as of now), most of which has been spent in solitary confinement.

Rajab was detained in 2015 as well, but was pardoned by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa on basis of Rajabs deteriorating health. Nabeel Rajab is the founder of Bahrain Center for Human Rights and a prominent leader in the shia led demonstrations against discrimination and violence by the Bahraini government.

Also, the congregation of Shia mosque Imams have ceased Friday prayers in their mosques, citing fear of insecurity and a lack of safety for individuals in the shia community as a result of the Bahraini government’s system persecution of the population.

Shia Mosques Cease Friday Prayers, Bahrain Shia Scholars Under Investigation

Shia Rights Watch recognizes the worries expressed by the council of Shia mosque imams in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

On the 10th day of Ramadan, a council of Imams of Shia mosques ceased Friday prayers, until further notice. The congregation announced that systemic persecution of Shia leaders and individuals has created a lack of security and safety for members.

This decision came after the recent escalation in Shia Muslim targeting by the Bahraini government. numerous Shia scholars were held under investigation (and some detainment).

Historically, Friday prayers have been a force eliciting unity and a sense of community among Muslims. And with their systemic targeting of Shia Muslims and the constant limitation of their rights, the Bahraini government is enticing sectarian strife and dividing the Muslim community.

The congregation of mosque imams denounces the repressive acts of the Bahraini government and calls for recognition of rights and existence of Shia Muslims in the Kingdom.

Scholars under investigation include:

Sheikh Baqir al-Hawaj
Samaha Alsidhashim Bahrani
Sayyed Majid Torch
Sheikh Hassan al-Maliki
Sheikh Hussein Almahroos
Sheikh Ibrahim Ansari
Sheikh Talib Aldeha
Sheikh Abbas Hayki

Shia Rights Watch condemns the systematic persecution of Shia scholars and pro-democracy advocates. Shia Rights Watch also invites the Bahraini government to reduce sectarian conflict and empower its religious and cultural populations by increasing dialogue between active members of its society and creating a domestic environment of peace and security.

Bahraini Activists Jailed and Issued Travel Bans

Shia Rights Watch expresses its deepest concerns for the current detention of Nabeel Rajab.

On June 13, 15 policemen in civilian clothing from the state-run Bahrain News Agency Police detained Nabeel Rajab. Rajab is a prominent activist and the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights. He had been charged with “spreading false information and rumors in the aim of discrediting the State” and is currently being held in solitary confinement. He has been under a travel ban since November 2014. Most significant to this arrest is that it appeared timed for the UN meeting on human rights, meaning Rajab cannot attend. One day prior to Rajab’s arrest, a group of five activists were prevented from leaving Bahrain to attend the UN Human Rights Council’s 32nd session in Geneva. Nabeel Rajab is also facing separate charges for Twitter posts related to the war in Yemen and for allegations of torture in Jaw prison. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

At the same time of Rajab’s arrest , Zainab Al-Khawaja, another prominent activist, forced to leave Bahrain to Denmark in fear of being imprisoned again. She has been jailed 11 times; the most recent imprisonment included her infant son. She stated Bahraini officials threatened to separate her from her son and re-arrest her within months of her release if she did not leave the country. Ms. Khawaja’s father, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, is serving a life sentence in Bahrain for participating in the 2011 uprisings. Shia Rights Watch director, Mustafa Akhwand commented on the situation stating, “All the activists who are in prison or getting arrested on a daily basis, have been known for their peaceful movements, and asking for rights of their fellow citizens. Unfortunately, despite all international condemnation of oppressing Shia in Bahrain, the government does not implement any changes to the way it operates toward Shia Muslims.”

SRW urges the Bahraini government to release Nabeel Rajab immediately and unconditionally, and remove travel bans and jail threats toward other Bahraini activists.

SRW’s “Thank you” Statement to Father Emmanuel Yousaf Mani

Shia Rights Watch, June 15th, 2016 SRW would like to issue an official thank you to Father Emmanuel Yousaf Mani, the National Director of the Pakistani Catholic Bishop’s National Commission for Justice and Peace, for his statements regarding religious freedom for Shia Muslims. According to UCA news, Mani stated that the Pakistani government “must take notice of Shia killings” and that “Nobody has the right to force their beliefs upon others.” Father Emmanuel also urged leaders to speak out and say Pakistan “is meant for all sects.” Shia Rights Watch stands with his sentiments and desires a Pakistan with religious freedom not only for its Shia Muslims but for Christians as well.

The Shia community currently makes up 20 percent of the Muslim community in Pakistan and should be allowed to peaceful practice their religion. Shia Rights Watch reaffirms Mr. Emmanuel Yousaf Mani’s statement that “The state must protect all religious minorities.”

Sincerely,

Shia News Wire # 70

Since the initiation of June, 58 Shia civilians have been killed brutally by targeted attacks, and dozens others have been injured in Iraq.

Improvised explosive devices (IED) and gunfire has led to the death of Iraqi citizens in Shia dense cities of Baghdad, Madain, Mahmudiya, Baji and Karbala. The incident of Karbala included the detonation of a car bomb near the living quarters of Governer Aqil al-Turaihi, five kilometers away from the two major Shia shrines (the Shia third Imam, Hussain, and his brother Abbas). One of those killed as a result of this bombing was Sayed Mohammad Nasrullah. Nasrallah’s brother was injured in the attack; his status has yet to be updated.

The 7th of June marked the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan. Shia Rights Watch cites this month as an opportunity for reflection of the past, and resolution for the future.

Shia Rights Watch wishes Ramadan Kareem to Muslims, and non-muslims alike.

Interactive dialogue with Candidates for 71st General Assembly Presidency

Shia Rights Watch‘s representative to the United Nations in New York attends an interactive dialogue with candidates for the Presidency of the 71st General Assembly.

Hosted by the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), H.E. Andreas Mavroyiannis, nominated by the Government of Cyprus and H.E. Peter Thomson, nominated by the Government of Fiji addressed important topics related to framework of the General Assembly and answered question by State delegates and Civil Society organization moderated by WFUNA’s Secretary-General, Bonian Golmohammadi.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation. Its powers are to oversee the budget of the United Nations, appoint the non-permanent members to the Security Council, receive reports from other parts of the United Nations and make recommendations in the form of General Assembly Resolutions.

The General Assembly plays a key role in mechanism of the United Nations, and its reliability is directly effective on the outcome of the projects promoted by the United Nations and its bodies. The president of the General Assembly can be an enabler of positive policy adoption for the UN entity at large and by including minorities in the mechanisms of the UN, and standing firm for the Rights of Minorities reassures the civil society, State Delegates, and NGOs of the advancement of UN aims and goals.

Ramadan

Shia Rights Watch_Ramdan Kareem رمضان کریم

As the month of Ramadan nears, Shia Rights Watch would like to congratulate every muslim on this joyous month. With this month comes faith, love, reflection of the past, and resolution for the future.

In the not so far past, Shia muslims were a population not only ostracized, but prosecuted for their beliefs. Unfortunately, such cases continue today in nations, both in the west and in the east. Shia muslims are often targeted by hate groups and are discriminated against. Even in majority shia populated nations such as Bahrain, anti-shia sentiment rises everyday, allowing for marginalization of this group in their own homes.

Shia in locations like Pakistan and Iraq are killed via targeted attacks and mass graves hold the bodies of massacred Shia populations in Nigeria. Violations against Shia Muslims have left thousands, if not millions, displaced and destitute, as they are forced to leave their homes in fear of getting killed and/ or targeted for further abuse. Camp Zakho of Iraq has become home to a large number of Shia men, women and children who have fled their homes in ISIS infiltrated regions of Iraq.

Unfortunate to Shia Muslims however, the anti-shia narrative fueled by Wahhabi forces have severely limited the Shia search of safety.

This Ramadan, Shia Rights Watch invites all to come together in promoting unity and advocating for human rights. Let us join together 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.

Take a first step in renewing your commitment for building peace by joining Shia Rights Watch and thousands of human rights defenders on June 12, 2016, the International Shia Day. Make a pledge to defend your equals in humanity and use #612shiaday to post your pledge on social media to express your values and concerns.

With hopes of achieving peace, Shia Rights Watch wishes Ramadan Kareem to Muslims, and non-muslims alike.

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