Refuse to Pay Tax? Another Type of Human Right Violation

Most of the times it is believed human rights violations accrue when authorities misuse their power toward their citizen. However the recent article by an Arabic news agency Al-Akhbar, which transltes to All News, totally changes this assumption. According to Al-Akhbar numbers of major appliances importers refuse to pay taxes in Iraq. The sources reveal that LG, Samsung and Al-Hafiz, which are major importers in Iraq, refuse paying taxes to a Shia government.

Refusing to pay tax in a country in which those companies are making multimillion dollar profits is wrong and it should not matter who runs the government!!! Clearly importers are taking advantage of the need of the Iraqi people and unrest in the country to become wealthier, yet they do not want to pay taxes because they do not agree with the faith of the government!?

I do not know about the legal and ethical codes of the mentioned companies, but such important importers are expected to respect the law of the country in which they work or move out if they do not agree with the government.

SRW is not pro or against any government regardless of their faith, however taxes are used to ease the lives of the citizens. Iraq is a country with majority Shia Muslims and most of that population are at or below poverty line. Refusing to pay taxes means LG, Samsung and Al-Hafiz are taking advantage of the government and people but not paying back to help the society. Sources report the companies are not willing to pay taxes because the government is Shia; in this case what LG, Samsung and Al-Hafiz are doing is not just illegal but also Shia rights violation!!!!

SRW invites all to hand in hand help end human rights violation. Refusing to pay taxes in any country is illegal, unethical and now human rights violation.

By Hawraa, A Human Right Advocate and Specialist on July, 16, 2013

Peace in Ramadan

Shia Rights Watch appreciates and supports the recent statement by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. In his statement Ban Ki-moon asked all sides in Syria to put down their weapon in the holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the most important holy month shared by all sects of Islam. During the 30 days of fasting, Islamic nations are encouraged to live in harmony and peace. This month is the best time to bring all parties together and use the blessing of this month to overcome the conflicts and differences. Syrians have lost more than 90000 lives and 6 million others displaced since the start of the conflict in 2011 and this month can be a good reason to bring security and safety back to the country. Syrians should be able to practice the rituals of this month in secure and safe environment.

SRW also encourages all sides in Syria to make it possible for all to enjoy this important holy month is peace.

Attack to Shia Community in Kuwait

Salafis attacked Shia communities as they commemorate the 7^th day of mourning for Hassan Shehata in Kuwait. Hassan Shahata was a well-known Egyptian Shia cleric who was killed in a mob attack in his home last week. Shia Muslims usually hold memorials for their deceased on the 3rd, 7Th and 40th day following their death.

The Shia community in Kuwait held a memorial for Hassan Shahata in the private Islamic center of Hussainia Ashour when Salafis attacked them outside the center. A number of attendees were injured during the attack. The injured were transported to a local hospital for treatments.

The center is an important center in which Shia Muslims gather for religious and cultural programs. Some influential Shia clerics, scholars and Kuwaiti Emirs were attending the memorial. The police were called and they arrived at the location but did not take serious actions to stop the conflict. As witnesses reported, the police forces attempted to support the attackers and not the victims.

Many Salafis, like Wahhabis, are known for their hatred of Shia Muslims and Salafis have killed many Shia in different countries. Kuwait has a growing radical Salafi population. Shia Rights Watch is concerned about the Shia population of Kuwait. Kuwait is known for its free society and very few violations of Shia rights have been reported in this country. SRW asks the authorities of Kuwait to investigate the incident and take immediate action so that this will not lead to more Shia rights violation in this country.

New Egypt; Welcome

Morsi ‘s administration one year report is full of violations, crimes and hatreds. Now people can reconsider someone with multicultural understanding and respect.

Now, more than ever, Egypt has the opportunity to build a government diverse enough to meet the need of all its citizens, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, languages and political views. Now that Morsi is not in power anymore, the new authorities, in this case the military, should take advantage of this new starting point and engage all, including minorities, in creating a stable government. Governments in which all citizens feel safe to express their opinions, practice their faiths, take part in government, access education and have job opportunists are historically the governments that succeed.

Egypt is a country with rich history and culture and deserves a country and government that they can rely on.

SRW encourages the new authorities to build a government based on respect to human right and calls on the courts to hold Morsy accountable for the crimes and violations his leadership led too.

It’s time to prove yourself, Egypt.

By Hawraa, a Human Rights Activist and Specialist on July 3rd, 2013

A Shia Child Killed in Dayr Az Zawr

Dayr Az Zawr, a Shia populated city in Syria, witnessed a death of a child as a rocket fell on him. The rocket killed the child and injured another five civilians to day July the 2^nd, 2013.

Dayr Az Zawr is the same city in which 60 Shia Muslims were killed and slaughtered on June 12^th. Shia of the area have been killed and tortured by anti-Shia terrorists and no media outlet cares to cover the violations.

SRW condemns the Shia killings especially minors. Children must be protected and killing them is certainly a war crime.

Thank You Letter to The Washington Post

Shia Rights Watch would like to thank The Washington Post for their article published on June 5 th concerning the deaths of 14 travellers in Iraq in an attack targeting the Shiite community. As human rights violations against Shia Muslims are increasing worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, it is critical that news agencies report ethically on the issues, investigate the roots of the problems, and share this information with the public. The reemergence of sectarian violence in Iraq is extremely concerning and must be addressed immediately. As such, Shia Rights Watch appreciates The Washington Post ’s commitment to spreading awareness of this issue. The agency’s decision to cover such news is proof of its ethical practice and adds to the credibility of the publication.

Thank You letter to The Telegraph

Shia Rights Watch would like to thank The Telegraph news agency for their article published on June 2nd by Richard Spencer. As Shia rights violations are increasing around the word, especially in Middle East, it is critical for news agencies to practice ethically, investigate roots of the problems, and share them with the public.

Al-Qaradawi and people like him spread hatred among people of all societies. Their acts are roots of many sectarian problems that the world in facing recently.

The Telegraph’s decision to cover such news is prove of this agency’s ethical practice and adds to the credibility of the agency.

SRW also wrote a detailed editorial about the article that can be found on the organization’s website

Thank You letter to The New York Times 2

Shia Rights Watch would like to thank THE EDITORIAL BOARD Of the New York Times news agency for their article published on June 28^th. As Shia rights violations are increasing around the word, especially in Middle East, it is critical for news agencies to practice ethically, investigate roots of the problems, and share them with the public.

It is encouraging to see finally media outlets have decided to end their silent and start covering Shia rights violations. However it seems media are selectively reporting some violations and ignoring many others. Egypt is not the only country in which Shia Muslims are oppressed: Syria, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan have very similar incidents everyday however no agency bothers to cover the oppression of Shia Muslims in those countries, most likely because of political interests. NY Times’ decision to cover such news is prove of this agency’s ethical practice and adds to the credibility of the agency but as a human rights organization, Shia Rights Watch, would like NY Times to cover more incidents in different countries.

NT Times has the power to help increase awareness and end sectarian violence in many parts of the world, so why not be the first and start now. Eventually the violations will increase to the point that many media outlets will have to cover them so why not NY Times start it now.

Sincerely,

Hawraa Zakery

Researcher at Shia Rights Watch

202-643-SHIA

WWW. Shia Rights Watch.org

Two Days, 77 Killed

47 Iraqi killed by bomb explosions mostly in Shia populated cities. Only two days in July and Iraqi Shia have lost 77 lives due to explosions. Today another series of explosions killed 47 people mostly in Shia populated areas. Violations in Iraq are increasing and authorities have not taken enough action to stop them. Civilians are main victims of the terrorists’ acts that target and kill Shia in their mosques or Islamic centers. Serious investigations are needed to find out who those human rights violators are and how they have aces to enough explosive materials to set up series of explosions every day! Also SRW believe Iraqi government must educate public and solve their economic problems so they do not voluntarily blow up themselves for money.

27 Deaths on Monday July the 1st

Iraqi Shia Muslims were targeted in local mosque in Muqdadiya on Monday July 1^st. The explosion brought down the ceiling of the mosque and distorted many parts of it.

Muqdadiya is a Shia populated area 80km (50 miles) northeast of the capital Baghdad. Shia Muslims were marking the death of a police officer killed in a recent roadside bombing when the explosion happened.

22 were reported dead but the death toll could rise because people remained trapped beneath the rubble according to police.

The explosion is part of continues violence between different groups I Iraq.

A separate suicide bombing in a coffee shop in Baquba, about 50km northeast of Baghdad, claimed five lives, bringing Monday’s death toll to 27.

Shia Rights Watch condemns the violent and requests immediate investigation.

Welcome to Shia Rights Watch

Thank You Letter to The Washington Post

Thank You letter to The Telegraph

Thank You letter to The New York Times 2