Convert if you wish to go Back to Your Homes….

Relocated Shia community is asked to change their religion so they can return to their homes…. Human rights violations could not get worst in Indonesia….
Between 160 to 200 Shia, including about 50 children, have been living in inadequate conditions at a sports complex in Sampang district on Madura Island since August 2012 when they were displaced after their village was attacked and burned down by anti- Shia group of around 500 people who attacked the community with sharp weapons and stones and injured and killed many Shia Muslims.
Indonesian authorities have gone too far in neglecting and ignoring the rights of Shia Muslims in this country. Since January the East Java provincial police have withdrawn the officers who had been protecting the community. In late December, the local authorities halted food supplies and medical services. Some of the children in the shelter have fallen sick over the last few weeks.

Now, to worsen the situation even more, the Indonesian authorities have given the Shia until March 2013 to convert to “Indonesia’s majority religion Sunni Islam” if they wish to return to their homes.
In May 2012, during its Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council, the Indonesian government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the protection of freedom of religion and to address cases of religious intolerance. However Shia Muslims still face harassment, intimidation and attacks. And those who commit acts of violence against religious minorities are rarely punished and communities have been displaced by attacks.
The right to freedom of religion or belief is guaranteed in Article 18(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and Article 18 of the International Bill of Human Rights to which Indonesia is a state party.

Shia Rights Watch believes it is Indonesians government’s responsibility to

Ensure that the community is granted immediate access to essential services such as food and health services
Help Shia build their homes that were damaged or destroyed,
Guarantee the voluntary and dignified return of the Shia community to their homes,
And investigate, report, catch and punish those who violate human rights in this country.

S.R.W has sent letters to the Indonesian Embassy in US regarding the Shia rights violations in this country but did not get any respond back.

Car Bomb killed 8 Shia Muslims and injured 44 in Iraq

Attack against Shia Muslim in Iraq begin once again. According to Iraqi authorities, a car bomb has killed four Shia Muslim pilgrims as they were heading south. Anti-Shia terrorist used sticky bomb that they attach to the car.

Authorities also reported today that two car bombs went off in Salahudin Province, killing at least eight people and injuring 44 others.

A similar attack also claimed five lives and injured 10 others in the city of Hilla, south of Baghdad.

The latest wave of violence cames only a day after 40 people were killed and over 200 others wounded in a spate of terrorist attacks across the country.

The recent bomb attacks came in the wake of the killing of an Iraqi lawmaker along with three of his body guards and two other civilians in the western province of Anbar on January 13.

On December 31, 2012, over 20 people, including children, were killed and 80 others injured in a wave of attacks in several cities and towns in the country.

SRW condemn the violence and ask Iraqi government to increase the security while they are looking for group responsible for violence.

SRW condemn the killing 90 Shia Muslim in Quetta

Shia Rights Watch strongly condemns the ongoing violence targeting Shia Muslims in Quetta Pakistan.

A series of anti-Shia attacks targeted Shia Muslims in Pakistan in January 10th, 2013. About 90 Shia Muslims were killed and 123 injured in two bombs blasts on the Alamdar Road in Quetta Pakistan.

Following the attack, thousands of Shia Muslims participated in the Sit-In protest , with the 87 Bodies in front of them. The families have not buried the bodies of their loved ones and instead have held the funeral until the government listens to their demands and take action against Shia targeted killings.

Previously SRW contacted Pakistani government through Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC asking them to put more effort to protect the Shia Muslims from Anti-Shia terrorist groups but the Pakistan Embassy in US did not reply to our emails and letters.

According to USCIRF, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a Sunni militant group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack. In the year 2012 many attacks have targeted religious processionals and pilgrims travelling to religious sites as well.

Pakistan Government’s silence is worsening the situation every day. There are many Shia Muslims and other minorities in the country that are being discriminated against. Pakistan is among countries where Shia have no security and serious actions are needed to stop the violence.

Shia Rights Watch Condemns the Terrorist Attacks Against Shia in Iraq and Pakistan

Shia Rights Watch Condemns of the recent terrorist attacks that targeted hundreds of Shia civilians in Iraq and Pakistan. Several official sources confirmed, in both Iraq and Pakistan, that targets were hundreds of unarmed civilians including vulnerable children and elderly who gathered to celebrate Arbaeen. Arbaeen is one of the very important Shia celebrations.
Terrorist organizations associated with extremist groups in Saudi Arabia and Qatar declared adoption of such crimes pursuant to political agendas and allow the killing of militant religious In order to filter them intellectually and ideologically.
More than ten people died and more than forty wounded after car bombs explosion in Iraq and 19 Shia pilgrims were killed due to a car bomb explosion when their bus passed about thirty kilometers from Quetta, capital of Balochistan in Pakistan.
Therefore Shia Rights Watch calls on the international community for urgent action to work to stop funding and arming terrorist organizations in Iraq, Pakistan and some other Muslim countries.

Shia Rights Watch Condemns the Terrorist Attacks Against Shia in Iraq and Pakistan

Shia Rights Watch Condemns of the recent terrorist attacks that targeted hundreds of Shia civilians in Iraq and Pakistan. Several official sources confirmed, in both Iraq and Pakistan, that targets were hundreds of unarmed civilians including vulnerable children and elderly who gathered to commemorate Arbaeen. Arbaeen is one of the very important Shia commemorations.
Terrorist organizations associated with extremist groups in Saudi Arabia and Qatar declared adoption of such crimes pursuant to political agendas and allow the killing of militant religious in attempt to filter them intellectually and ideologically.
More than ten people died and more than forty were left wounded after car bomb explosion in Iraq. 19 Shia pilgrims were killed due to a car bomb explosion when their bus passed about thirty kilometers from Quetta, capital of Balochistan in Pakistan.

Shia Rights Watch calls on the international community for urgent action to work to stop funding and arming terrorist organizations in Iraq, Pakistan and some other Muslim countries.

Bahraini Forces do not Hesitate to Target Children

Bahraini authorities do not hesitate to target children to disperse adults. Shia Rights Watch and other human rights organizations have repeatedly reported the intentional violent toward minors and children in Bahrain, yet no media outlet cover or even report the ongoing human and child’s rights violations in this country.

In the first day of the year 2013 Bahraini forces targeted a child younger than 4 years old with teargas in order to disperse adults from the area and prevent peaceful protests.

The flowing video capture by a witness is the best evidence of the ongoing human rights violations in Baharin.

S.R.W demands children rights organization to wake up and take action. No child should be have to face fear or be threatebed. Why has no one defended children of Bahrain?

WATCH

No Security for Shia in Pakistan

19 Pakistani Shia killed and 25 wounded in a car bomb in southwest Pakistan on Sunday December 30th, 2012. Four of the wounded are women. The car bomb targeted a bus carrying Shia Muslim pilgrims heading to Iran. The blast destroyed the bus and killed the passengers.

This is not the first time that Wahhabi extremist targeted Shia pilgrims. Many Shia Muslims have lost their lives in Pakistan especially in the year 2012. Pakistani authorities have promised to provide more security and escort Shia pilgrims; however Shia targeted killings have not stopped or decreased.

Shia Rights Watch has contacted the Pakistan embassy in the US and asked them to take responsibility of the security of the Shia but received no respond.

New Year’s Resolution, A letter to President Obama

Dear President Obama,

This letter is on behalf of Shia Rights Watch, a Washington DC based human rights organization defending the rights of Shia Muslims around the world.

As New Year arrives, we all make resolutions and as the president of the United States, your resolutions can make important changes in the world. In your Presidential Proclamation on the anniversary of the Declaration of Human rights on December 10^th/ 2012 you stated “we rededicate ourselves to fortifying civil rights in America, while reaffirming that all people around the world should live free from the threat of extrajudicial killing, torture, oppression, and discrimination”.

It is nice to see children have lots of rights in US. It is a pleasure to see women and men are treated equally, and the government tries it best to bring safety and freedom to people.

As New Year arrives, many children in US are sleeping in safety of their decorated homes, while they are sure their parents are around and they have security and freedom. Many parents are joyfully buying gifts for their children, malls and shopping centers are all decorated nicely and the whole country is full of joy and security. This is while thousands of children are scared to sleep and not see their parents in the morning anymore. Many parents cannot leave their homes because of the fear of losing their family. Many others are not sure if they would be able to afford next meal.

In Bahrain many children are in adult prisons. These children do not need to decorate their homes and receive expensive gifts to be happy; they need security and freedom, they need to get back to their families and be able to attend safe schools. Security and safety is the only gift they are waiting for.

In Syria, last year alone, hundreds of children lost their lives, many slept at night and never woke up, many had homes and parents at night and woke up having no food, drink, home or family. Many Shia prayer places were set on fire and hundreds had to fee from their country.

In Pakistan, hundreds of children lost their fathers and caregivers in Shia targeted killings. Many women and children were attacked while riding bus and returning from school to their families to celebrate end of the Ramadan Eid. Gunmen stopped the bus and checked the passengers ID cards and opened fire of them. In this incident alone 25 Shia were killed. Recently 16 Shia students were expelled from Karakoram International University because of their faith.

In Saudi Arabia Shia children cannot attend school or express their values fearing of arrest or expel. Security forces shot and kill Shia Muslims when they ask for freedom and equality and many Shia are suffering from cancer in oil reach areas.

In Azerbaijan Shia scholar, Muhamamd Cavid, was arbitrary arrested and his two young children and wife do not know where he is or what his situation is.

In Egypt and Malaysia Shia are afraid to practice their religion, because if they do they will be isolated from the norm.

While we can spend thousands of dollars decorating our city, spend fortune buying un needed gifts, and send greeting cards with “Peace on Earth” message, thousands of Shia Muslims are seeking shelter and security.

In your Presidential Proclamation you stated “we renew our promise that the United States will be a partner to any nation, large or small, that will contribute to a world that is more peaceful and more prosperous “however All these violations occurred while Bahrain is one of the United States’ allies, Pakistan and Egypt are non-NATO allies and also the US and Saudi Arabia have had full diplomatic relations since 1933.

It is expected to see some actions from the president of the United State to prevent and stop the violations but in fact not much successful actions were taken.

May the year 2013 be the year that every single child feels happiness, all parents feel secure, and all homes are a place where families can gather in safety and love.

We hope, in this New Year, all innocent prisoners set free, all parents have their child and all children have their parents with them.

S.R.W and Free Muslim Association believe in your New Year resolution you should keep in mind that many people around the world need you to work toward their freedom. Hand in hand, you as the president and we as human rights organizations, must ask governments to stop human rights violations and obligate media outlets to cover and report all violations.

We wish happiness and freedom for those all around the globe.

Contempt in Public – Bahraini Forces has Gone Too Far

A Bahrain citizen was slapped in street while holding his baby. Heidar Abdul-Rasul was sitting in his car with his baby when security forces approached him and asked for his Identification (ID) card. He did not have the ID, so the forces asked him to step out of the car. Heidar was slapped in face several time in front of his baby. He kept covering the baby’s face so he won’t be hart emotionally. The contempt was caught on video and Heider Abdul-Rasul was also interviewed by Lo’Lo’ TV.

The video can be watched on the following link.

Video

Note: program is in Arabic.

Thank You Ann Clwyd

Shia Rights Watch appreciates and acknowledges the smart and right decision of the Ann Clwyd. Ann Clwyd, a Labor MP sitting on the Committee for Foreign Affairs refused a Christmas present from Alice Samaan, Bahrain ambassador to the UK. Clwydsits on committee conducting an inquiry into human rights abuses in Bahrain. She sent the present back to the store and sent a letter to the embassy explaining her reason for not accepting the present.

She commented that she could not overlook the human rights violations, such as tortures imprisonments and widespread oppression, in Bahrain and cannot accept this present.

Shia Rights Watch appreciates her decision and believes that her honest and correct decision should be an example for others how are on the same committee or similar committees.

Similar gifts have kept many authorities and media outlets quiet regarding the human rights violations in Bahrain. We hope those authorities and media outlets rethink and make better decisions as Anne Clwyd did.

“The Guardian” revealed that Samaan sent similar gifts to about 10 other members of the British Parliament.” Apparently other members decided to keep the gifts.

S.R.W Thanks Ann Clwyd on behalf of all oppressed Shia around the world. May she become a role model for others.

We have also emailed Ms Ann Clwyd and thanked her for her brave action.

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