Declaring an International Day was a decision Shia Rights Watch made after realizing the amount of misinformation and lack of awareness that the international community has in regards to Shia communities. The practical significance of the day revolved around raising public and governmental awareness of the human rights violations that occur against Shia Muslims, which go relatively unrecognized by international groups and organizations. Like other International Days, such as International Women’s Day, International Day for Shia Rights allows for an inclusive conversation to occur about the issues affecting that specific group. Moreover, the International Day for Shia Rights allowed for the continued promotion for governmental support in favor of the adoption of H.Res.105 and S.Res.69.
Shia Muslim man sentenced to lashing for holding prayer in home
On Tuesday July 14th a Saudi Shia man was arrested in the city of Khobar after learning about a weekly prayer meeting he held in his home. Zuhair Busaleh who is a retired airline ticketing agent was sentenced to two months in jail and 60 lashes. Busaleh remains free pending an appeal which will be considered on August 2nd.
In an interview with Agency French Press, Busaleh said that he held this prayer meeting in his home because Khobar has no Shia mosques. Khobar, which is majority Sunni, does not have religious facilities for Shia Muslims so they are left to either worship privately or go to Dammam which is the neighboring city. Dammam was the scene of a terrorist attack against Shia Muslims on May 29th as a suicide bomber detonated himself at the Imam Hussein mosque killing 25.
Busaleh had previously requested and had been granted permission by the prince in charge of the city to have prayer meetings at his home but other officials in the city had ordered him to stop. Zuhair Busaleh is now planning to take up his case with the prince.
Shia Rights Watch condemns the arrest and charges placed against Zuhair Busaleh as a violation of his religious freedom. To prohibit Busaleh’s worship in his home contradicts article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression”. This right includes the freedom to manifest one’s belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
To ensure the religious freedom of Zuhair Busaleh, Shia Rights Watch urges the Saudi government to drop the charges against him and work with him and other community leaders to facilitate the construction of a Shia mosque in the Khobar.
European resolution on human rights in Bahrain
07/13/2015
Last Thursday the European Parliament adopted a resolution on human rights in Bahrain. This resolution, which passed by a large majority in the parliament, calls for a host of actions from the Bahraini government. Through this resolution, the European Parliament condemns all human rights violations committed in the country and calls on Bahrain to release all prisoners of conscience, ratify the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons against Enforced disappearance, respect the rights of juveniles, and more.
In addition to the recommendations for the Bahraini government, the legislation encourages the UN to organize a visit by three Special rapporteurs to the country. Also in the press release for this adopted resolution, the European Parliament recommended that the European Union implement a tear gas ban on the nation due to its excessive and negligent use by security forces to dismantle peaceful protests.
Shia Rights Watch welcomes this resolution and praises its holistic nature. The passage of this resolution is important, especially after the United States decided to resume security assistance to Bahrain. While this resolution is non-binding, leaving implementation up to the parties address in the resolution, the continued recognition of human rights violations in the country keeps pressure on the Bahraini government to implement the substantive changes recommended.
On June 12th Shia Rights Watch facilitated an international campaign on the International Day of Shia Rights to show solidarity with the hundreds of children currently imprisoned in Bahrain. Calls for the Bahraini authorities to respect the rights of children nearly a month after this campaign shows that the discourse on the country is reaching the highest levels of the international political system. Shia Rights Watch joins the European Parliament in calling for Bahrain to implement the recommendations contained in this resolution.
Six Months of Anti-Shiism
Six Months of Anti-Shiism 2015
This is the sixth installment of the Monthly Anti-Shiism Report which means we are half way through the year. In 6 months, there were at least 2386 Shias killed and 2771 injured as a result of anti-Shiism. There were also 117 Shias abducted since the beginning of the year, and 230 arrested for being Shia. On average, 402 Shia die every month and 497 more are injured as a result of sectarian hatred. The violence against Shias continues every day even though the amount of Shia murdered has decreased month to month. The amount of Shia abducted or arrested has slowly increased throughout the year.
This year began with 4 countries with incidents of anti-Shiism, and in 6 months it has expanded to include 19 different countries[1]. The worst day this year for Shia Muslims was March 20th when there was a triple mosque bombing in addition to other incidents of anti-Shiism in Pakistan and Iraq. There were a total of 150 deaths and 363 injuries from this incident in Yemen. If one looks at the graph “Total Deaths, Injuries, and Arrests of 2015,” then it will be observed that there are a few spikes in the number of wounded. The first sharp increase occurs in February when there were multiple days within one week with a hundred or more deaths. The second spike is the Yemen mosque bombing in March, and the last one is the mosque bombing in Kuwait this month.
The methods used to attack Shias are listed in order of most casualties to least casualties: bomb, a combination of methods, mortars, shooting, and beatings. The most dangerous places to be a Shia are Iraq, Yemen, and Pakistan while 60 percent of the arrests for the year are in Bahrain. Iraq makes up 80% of all Shias killed and 68% of all Shias injured for anti-Shiism this year. That means that 1897 of the 2414 deaths occurred in Iraq, and 1875 of the 2771 injuries happened in Iraq. Afghanistan makes up 26 percent of the Shia who are arrested or abducted, and not all 106 Shia who were abducted in Afghanistan made it home alive.
Incidents of anti-Shiism in June 2015
There has been a decrease in the number of Shia killed during attacks and an increase in those that were injured. The amount of Shia arrested has increased from last month, and appears to continue and upward trend with a possibility of leveling off. There were over 300 deaths and more than 500 injuries this month. These figures result in an average of 11 deaths per day, and 17 injured Shia every day. Violence against Shia is found in the usual countries this month, but it is now confirmed as present in Egypt, Kuwait, and the United Kingdom in 2015. Anti-Shiism is a growing trend that will continue to gain notoriety until the international community addresses the issue.
Overview
This report will analyze the data compiled on Shia deaths, injuries, and arrests that occurred between June 1st and June 30th. The data for this report was gathered from a variety of different sources. Each incident is thoroughly evaluated for both authenticity and relevance. For an incident to be included in this report it has to show clear intent to target Shia Muslims on the basis of religious beliefs. The subsequent sections will present and analyze the data gathered by Shia Rights Watch for June.
Where have Shia Muslims been targeted?
June saw Shia Muslims targeted in 9 different countries: Iraq, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Kingdom. In total there were 304 deaths, 511 injuries, and 59 arrests that we are aware of. Although this report will focus primarily on the aforementioned categories, incidents such as the lenient sentences of Shia murderers in Egypt and graffiti in the United Kingdom will me included.
The bulk of violent incidents have occurred in Iraq, which has witnessed countless bombings in Shia populated areas. Kuwait faced a devastating terrorist plot against a Shia mosque which made the international community take notice of the violence. Yemen suffered heavy casualties in residential areas during Saudi air strikes as well as quadruple mosque bombings. Bahrain had nearly all of the arrests this month, but Saudi Arabia remembered to oppress at least one Shia as well. Thankfully, many have put down their arms during the month of Ramadan, and hopefully there will be peace for more than just Ramadan. The next section of this report will present and analyze the data compiled on anti-Shiism.
Iraq
The violence against Shia Muslims in Iraq continues to be the actions of non-state actors persecuting Shia for their beliefs. The deaths against Shia in Iraq result from bombings combination of some form of bomb and gunfire whereas the injuries only occur from bombings. There were at least 217 deaths and 278 injuries in Iraq this month as a direct product of the Shia Genocide. The number of deaths in Iraq is a slight decrease from 221 of the previous month, and the injuries decreased from 305 to 278.
More graves are discovered every day from Daesh’s systematic slaughter at Camp Speicher last year, and Shia Rights Watch organized the first International Shia Rights Day on June 12th to remember those who lost their lives so brutally.
Yemen
On June 15, Saudi Arabia conducted air strikes on al- Hazm residential areas which killed at least 18 Shia and injured dozens more. Daesh picked up where it left off in March with more Shia mosque bombings, and this time it resulted in the death of 31 Shia. The United Nations is urging both the Saudi coalition and the Houthis to agree to a ceasefire during the month of Ramadan, but it is yet to be seen if there will be any semblance of peace in Yemen any time soon.
Pakistan
There were three incidents of anti-Shiism in Pakistan this month that we are aware of, and they were both shootings. The attackers continue to use drive by shootings as well as firing upon soft targets such as popular markets. There were at least 7 Shia deaths in Pakistan this month. It is promising to see Pakistan continue to have decreasing amounts of anti-Shiism considering how poor the situation was just last year.
Syria
According to Shia Rights Watch sources in Syria, Daesh conducted air strikes in Idlib, and killed 2 teenage girls in addition to injuring 10 other Shia. The Syrian Civil War has been ongoing since 2011, and the remaining Shia in Syria will not be safe if Daesh or al Nusra Front succeed in toppling the government.
Bahrain
Bahrain is back to its usual arrests, detentions, and unfair sentencing this month. Sheikh Ali Salman was sentenced to 4 years in prison for tweeting about regime change, and Imam Sayyed Musa al-Wasa’ee was arrested on national security charges. The Bahraini government jailed 57 Shia citizens, stripped them of their citizenship, and gave them sentences ranging from 3 years to life in prison. Meanwhile, thugs broke into the al-Khafif Mosque to vandalize it and destroy Qur’ans. Shia Rights Watch condemns the arbitrary detention and sentencing that the Bahrain regime has become known for since the beginning of the Arab Spring in 2011.
There is a possibility for a terrorist attack in Bahrain considering the recent bombing of a Shia mosque in Kuwait, and the fact that the bomber passed through Bahrain to get there. The authorities have stepped up security, but it will be interesting to see if they can prevent an attack while simultaneously oppressing the same group of people they are attempting to protect.
Saudi Arabia
A Shia man, Mohammad Ali al-faraj was arrested in the street and beaten for no apparent reason. His family is unaware of his detention center. Mohammad is the brother of Salman Ali al-faraj who is wanted in connection to uprisings in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It is unclear if Mohammad has committed a crime, or if he is being unlawfully detained. However, his family deserves to know where he is being detained, and what crime, if any, he is charged with.
United Kingdom
On June 21, the words “Shia Kafir” were spray painted on the exterior walls of the Hussania Islamic Mission in Bradford, West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. This is the first record of anti-Shiism in the United Kingdom this year, but according to Tell MAMA UK there were pamphlets distributed last year that stated, “Shiism is a religion outside Islam.” It is apparent that there is some amount of the population of Bradford that has anti-Shia sentiments, and it needs to be investigated to find the source. Shia Rights Watch urges Shia in the United Kingdom to counter anti-Shiism with education and understanding.
Kuwait
Daesh continued its unobservant behavior when it bombed a mosque during Ramadan. The bomber was from Saudi Arabia, and took a flight from there, through Bahrain to Kuwait. It is clear that there is a network that supported his attack which resulted in the death of 27 Shias and the injuring of 227 more. There is obviously some portion of the population which agrees with Daesh, because it would be difficult to accomplish this amount of devastation without help. Al Qaeda and Daesh may be takfiri terrorist organizations, but at least Al Qaeda does not bomb mosques, especially during Ramadan.
There were reports of anti-Shiism in Kuwait just two days before the mosque bombing orchestrated by Daesh. During a debate in Paliament, MP Hamdan al-Azemi told a Shia lawmaker, “You should rectify your sect.” Faisal al-Duwaisan took offense to the comment, and stated that he will resign from Parliament unless al-Azemi apologizes. Shia make up about a third of Kuwait’s population, and this are the first cases of anti-Shiism in Kuwait this year.
Egypt
In June of 2013 a mob of Takfiri Salafis attacked a small Shia community in Egypt, and on June 14, 2015 23 of those involved were convicted of murder. They were sentenced to 14 years in prison, but protesters of the ousting of Mohamed Morsi were sentenced to death. It is clear that these people were given lenient sentences, because their crimes were committed against Shia. Shia Rights Watch requests that the Egyptian government reevaluate the sentences for these men in favor of a more appropriate sentence.
Tactics
The amount of Shia killed by bombs this month has increased by 16%, and the amount of Shias wounded from bombs has increased slightly from last month. The deaths from shootings decreased this month, and this month there were no injuries sustained from gunfire. The utilization of a combination of methods to kill Shia has decreased dramatically from 78 to 32. There have been no beheadings or stabbings of Shia this month. There were also no abductions of Shia this month that we are aware of at this time.
Conclusion
More governments and government officials are taking anti-Shia stances, and it is a worrying trend. Citizens look to the government for leadership, and these attitudes can have a significant impact on the populace. Inshallah the populace will not give into sectarian division as the officials have, and the Saudi war against the Houthis will end quickly to aid the humanitarian efforts to those who need it. Daesh seems to be gaining strength around the world even as they are losing ground in Iraq and Syria, and their brutality must end before it is too late. Anti-Shiism would appear to be on a downward trend, but the mosque bombing in Kuwait changed the outcome for this month. Hopefully anti-Shiism will continue to decrease as the year continues. Ramadan Mubarak!
[1] Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Yemen.
Shia News Wire_#24
Responding to the ISIS Attack in Kuwait
The June 26th bombing at the Imam Sadiq mosque in Kuwait was a horrifying event that devastated the Shia community in the country. Following this attack Shia Rights Watch has worked to contact the Kuwaiti government to request that they work to ensure the protection of religious minorities in their country. Shia Rights Watch sent a letter to the Kuwaiti embassy this week to urge them to both take steps to secure the free worship of Shia Muslims in their country and to speak out against the hate speech in their country and in the region at large that fuels many of the attacks we have seen.
To the same end, Shia Rights Watch sent a letter to the Embassy of Bahrain in the United States. After the attack in Kuwait, ISIS members and suporters said Bahrain was next. This letter urged Bahrain to take proper security measures and to condemn hate speech.
Continued bombings in Baghdad
On Saturday June 27th a series of bombs were detonated in Shia areas in Baghdad. These attacks around Iraq’s capital city left 12 dead and dozens more wounded. The first attack was a car bomb that detonated around noon. This attack occurred at a shotp that sells car parts in southeastern Baghdad. Five people were killed and 13 were wounded.
The second attack was a bomb that wad detonated near a vegetable and fruit market in southern Baghdad. In this attack two people were killed and three injured.
Shia Rights Watch condemns the near daily attacks on Shia Muslims in Baghdad. The Iraqi government should do more to ensure the security of Shia Muslims in the city.
IED explosion in Baghdad
On June 30th an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded in the Maidan area of Southern Baghdad. This attack killed one civilian and wounded three others. This attack is part of a chain of attacks by militant groups in Iraq on Shia areas of Baghdad. Shia Rights Watch condemns these attacks as senseless acts of violence that are working to contribute to the intimidation of innocent Shia Muslims around the world.
ISIS fire targeting Shia pilgrims kill schoolgirl
On Tuesday ISIS militants launching an attack on Shia pilgrims on the Kirkuk-Tuz Khurmatu road in Iraq hit a bus carrying schoolgirls with a rocket. This attack killed a schoolgirl and wounded two others. The Shia pilgrims traveling along this road were heading to the shrine of Imam Hussein for an important anniversary at the time of the attack. This anniversary known as arbayeen marks the end of the 40 day mourning period for the death of the Imam. Shia mark this anniversary by traveling to Najaf, the Kirkuk-Tuz Khurmatu road is a popular route for Shia pilgrims.
Shia settlers targeted in Quetta
On July 1st two militants on a motorcycle gunned down three unarmed Shia men in the Pakistani town of Quetta. The names of the three men are Nadir Hussain, Asad Ali, and Ali Waris and it is knowm that they are welders from Punjab. It was outside of a shop where they were killed. The assaliants have not yet been identified, but the details about the motive behind the killings has been revealse. When asked about the motivation for the attacks a senior police stated that this attack had been a deliberate targeting of Shia settlers.
ASWJ Continues Shia Genocide Campaign
On July 6th gunmen from Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal-Jamaat killed three Hazara Shia in Quetta. Like previous attacks, the assailants drove up to the victims on Motorcycles and began to open fire. Three people were killed and two more injured. Pakistani militant groups such as ASWJ have been facilitating a campaign of Shia genocide through targeted killings. Many of Pakistan’s Shia intellectual community have been targets of this violence. Doctors, Lawyers, and Businessmen are routinely the focus of such violence in Pakistan. Shia Rights Watch condemns this violence and calls on the Pakistani government to investigate these crimes so that these gunmen do not remain anonymous but are captured by security forces and brought to trial.
U.S. Resumes Security Aid to Bahrain
This week the United States has decided to resume security aid to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The aid that is being restored has been suspended since 2011 after brutal crackdowns on peaceful protestors. This decision by the U.S. government is problematic because Bahrain has shown little to no improvment in its treatment of the Shia majority. A video retrieved by Shia Rights Watch at the end of last year shows the aftermath of an attack on a Shia mosque by Bahraini security forces which involved the usage of teargas in enslosed areas. The video shows mosque visitors coughing and crying as they try to exit the mosque. Shia Rights Watch has written a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry to urge him to reconsider this decision in light of the continuing human righhts violations that the security forces commit.
Employment discrimination persists in Bahrain
This week, Baqer Darwish who is with the Bahrain Forum form Human Rights (BFHR) revealed widespread employment discrimination in Bahrain’s legal system. Darwish noted that most of the judicial hires are people from the royal family. Members of the Shia majority only hold about 3% of the jobs in the judicial system.
Shia Rights Watch realizes that this statistic is emblematic of a larger system of oppression that is currently present in Bahrain. The non-inclusive government of Bahrain has used its status to oppress its citizens. Bahraini Shia, who have stood up to protest this government have been met with repeated crackdowns in the form of arbitrary arrests, beatings, and torture. Currently over 550 children are being detained in Bahraini prisons. To put a halt to the mistreatment of Shia Muslims in Bahrain, Shia Rights Watch has continued to hold international campaigns in support of the protection of the rights of Shia. It is of vital importance that the Bahraini government work to restore trust between Shia civilians and their government, especially their security forces.
Ambassador of Bahrain
Shia Rights Watch writes letter to the Ambassador of Bahrain to request increased protection for Shia Muslims in Bahrain after ISIS threats.
Washington, D.C.- July 2, 2015- Shia Rights Watch sent a letter to the Ambassador of Bahrain to request greater protection for Shia Muslims in Bahrain leading up to July 3rd. This letter comes less than a week after the deadly suicide bombing at the Imam Sadiq mosque in Kuwait which killed over 200 worshippers and wounded more than 200 others. In the aftermath of the bombing, ISIS members took to twitter and said that an attack in Bahrain was next.
While many of ISIS’s previous threats against the island kingdom were unsubstantiated, Shia Rights Watch believes that in light of recent events, proper precautions should be taken to protect worshippers. Friday has become a deadly day for Shia Muslims as bombings have torn through multiple mosques this year.
It is imperative that these mosques and their worshippers are protected, as their defense is critical for the perseverance of religious freedom throughout the Gulf.
To see the full letter click here.
27 Killed and over 200 injured in Kuwait Bombing
On Friday June 26th terror struck the Shia community in Kuwait. During midday prayers a suicide bomber detonated themselves at the Imam Sadiq mosque killing at least 27 people and injuring 200 others. This horrific attack occurred as at least 2,000 people were gathered in this mosque. This attack is a part of a chain of terrorist attacks that occurred around the world in other countries such as France, Tunisia, and Syria.
Shia Rights Watch strongly condemns the actions of these terrorists around the world. In addition, Shia Rights Watch calls on countries around the world to ensure that Shia mosques receive adequate protection to avoid casualties such as what the world has witnessed today. This mosque bombing comes just weeks after two consecutive mosque bombings in Saudi Arabia.
Unfortunately Friday has become the most dangerous day of the week to be Shia as terrorist groups have used Friday prayers as an opportunity to take as many Shia lives as possible. These actions have been backed by rhetoric that declares Shia Muslims to be heretics and worthy of death. Shia Rights Watch condemns hate speech and speech that incites violence as a large contributor to violence against Shia Muslims. It is the job of the international community, especially countries with notorious anti-Shia records, to condemn this type of speech.
This bloody Friday cannot go unaddressed by the Kuwaiti government. Shia Rights Watch calls on the government of Kuwait to investigate this bombing and bring to justice all who are responsible.
Shia News Wire #23
27 Killed and 200 injured in Kuwait Bombing
On Friday June 26th terror struck the Shia community in Kuwait. During midday prayers a suicide bomber detonated themselves at the Imam Sadiq mosque killing at least 27 people and injuring 200 others. This horrific attack occurred as at least 2,000 people were gathered in this mosque. This attack is a part of a chain of terrorist attacks that occurred around the world in other countries such as France, Tunisia, and Syria.
Shia Rights Watch strongly condemns the actions of these terrorists around the world. In addition, Shia Rights Watch calls on countries around the world to ensure that Shia mosques receive adequate protection to avoid casualties such as what the world has witnessed today. This mosque bombing comes just weeks after two consecutive mosque bombings in Saudi Arabia.
Unfortunately Friday has become the most dangerous day of the week to be Shia as terrorist groups have used Friday prayers as an opportunity to take as many Shia lives as possible. These actions have been backed by rhetoric that declares Shia Muslims to be heretics and worthy of death. Shia Rights Watch condemns hate speech and speech that incites violence as a large contributor to violence against Shia Muslims. It is the job of the international community, especially countries with notorious anti-Shia records, to condemn this type of speech.
This bloody Friday cannot go unaddressed by the Kuwaiti government. Shia Rights Watch calls on the government of Kuwait to investigate this bombing and bring to justice all who are responsible.
Shia Rights Watch releases statement commemorating the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
Washington, DC- 25 June 2015- Shia Rights Watch joins the United Nations and the remainder of the international community in commemorating the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This day, established on December 12, 1997, commemorates victims of torture and works towards “the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment”.
Shia Muslims are routinely subjected to torture and degrading treatment around the world. Shia prisoners of conscience have been subjected to torture in countries such as Bahrain. The International Shia Day campaign highlighted many victims of torture among the 550 minors that are currently detained in Bahraini prisons. Fourteen year old Mohammed Mansour, one of the 550, was arrested and subjected to harsh physical beatings and electric shock torture.
The story of young Mohammed Mansour is not unique, but is shared among many Shia Muslims around the world. Torture and other forms of degrading treatment undermine the basic foundations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is for this reason we call on all countries around the world to respect basic human rights and renounce torture.
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Washington, DC- 25 June 2015- Shia Rights Watch joins the United Nations and the remainder of the international community in commemorating the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This day, established on December 12, 1997, commemorates victims of torture and works towards “the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment”.
Shia Muslims are routinely subjected to torture and degrading treatment around the world. Shia prisoners of conscience have been subjected to torture in countries such as Bahrain. The International Shia Day campaign highlighted many victims of torture among the 550 minors that are currently detained in Bahraini prisons. Fourteen year old Mohammed Mansour, one of the 550, was arrested and subjected to harsh physical beatings and electric shock torture.
The story of young Mohammed Mansour is not unique, but is shared among many Shia Muslims around the world. Torture and other forms of degrading treatment undermine the basic foundations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is for this reason we call on all countries around the world to respect basic human rights and renounce torture.
Ramadan Kareem
Shia Rights Watch would like to extend its best wishes to the Muslim community around the world as the month of Ramadan approaches. This holy month in which Muslims reflect upon the time in which the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. This time of fasting, prayer, and reflection serve as a moment for Muslim families and communities to gather together to draw closer to God.
The principles of justice and charity are central to the commemorations of this month and they are central in the reflections of Muslim communities. These principles are also central to the mission of Shia Rights Watch. As a human rights organization, we work to ensure that these values are adhered to by all societies.
Unfortunately these principles have not been upheld in many places as Shia Muslims are routinely persecuted and murdered in some countries. Hundreds of deaths and scores of arrests of Shia Muslims have occurred so far this year and it shows no sign of stopping. Two Shia Mosques have been bombed in Saudi Arabia, and hundreds of Shia minors remain detained in Bahrain. The continued injustices that occur against this religious minority cast a stain upon the entire international community.
Although these injustices persist, this Ramadan Shia Rights Watch is going to renew its commitment to working for the protection of the rights of Shia Muslims. We will do this by assuming our duties with an intensified passion in all of the work that we do. Although many of the past Ramadans have been bloody, we will work tirelessly to ensure that we both record these violent events and ensure that those who commit these atrocities are brought to justice.
This holy month should serve as a time of unity for people everywhere as we journey towards a more peaceful and equitable society. Shia Rights Watch invites Muslim states to join us in this cause by ensuring that all within their borders respect the basic human rights of their fellow citizens, including Shia Muslims.
