Targeted Shia killings Take More Lives

Extremists open fire on the car of the custodian of a Shia Mosque in Karachi.

In another Shia targeted killing, Syed Bahawal Shah and his nephew Syed Baqar Shah were gunned down while seated in their car in Pakistan.

Shia targeted killings in Pakistan have increased: may Shia have lost their lives, and the rest are concerned about the security of their family members in society. However authorities have failed to protect the security of Shia Muslims in this country.

S.R.W condemns the violence against Shia Muslims and asks the Pakistani authorities to take immediate action and protect all Shia from targeted killings.

Burning of Shia Mosque by Anti Shia errorist in Syria

Shia Rights Watch condemns the diminishing and burning of a Shia Mosque in Zarzor village in Syria.

Zarzor is a Shia populated village in Syria and the mosque seems to be the only place of worship for the residents of the area. The mosque was surrounded and harnessed by anti-Shia forces and destroyed.

Unfortunately Shia rights violations elevated in Syria and extremists are taking advantage of the conflict in this country to kill Shia and destroy their holy places such as mosques and Islamic centers. Recently anti-Shia groups also threatened that they would destroy the Lady Zainab’s holy Shrine is Zeinabia village near Damascus.

S.R.W asks all human rights organizations and activist to step up and defend the Shia and their places of worship in Syria. No member of any religion should face discrimination and all should be free to practice their rights.

The following Video shows how anti-Shia groups proudly surround the mosque in Zarzor.

Note: the video is in Arabic

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Shia Rights Watch Condemns Kuwaiti Court Crimination of Al Shatti

Shia Rights Watch expresses deep regret for the one-year prison verdict against Kuwaiti Lawyer Khalid al Shatti for allegedly insulting Sunni clerics, although he had been previously found innocent.

The verdict, which was contradictory to two earlier rulings and came as Al Shatti was up for election to parliament, is extremely suspicious. The verdict does not take into accountç local laws or the constitution both of which grant broad freedom of expression.

This sentence, handed down in contradiction to two earlier rulings and inconsistent with Kuwaiti law, is possibly a result of pressure from extremist Salafi groups. These groups are trying to block freedom of expression in contravention of local laws and destroy national unity through divisive religious politics.

SRW also stresses that the message being sent by Kuwait, through imprisoning an extremely prominent human rights lawyer and activist in Khalid al Shatti, is a move toward ending freedom of expression and democracy in Kuwait. Moreover it is an obvious defect in the country’s juridical regime. Most importantly, it a erodes confidence in the judiciary by demonstrating that the justice meted out by the state is different depending on whether you are Shia or Sunni.

Another Case of Shia Rights Violations in Bahrain

Aqeel Abdulmuhsen, a 19 years old was shot in the face and arm by Bahraini forces on December 4th, 2012.

The Ministry of Interior admitted that the shooting was part of the arrest attempt. Aqeel and his friend were sitting in his car when security forces opened fire upon them from a very close distance. Aqeel Abdulmuhsen was immediately arrested as he was bleeding and was taken to the Salmaniya hospital. Aqeel’s jaw was broken from the force of the direct shotgun wound he received to his mouth. His left arm was also broken from the force of another direct shot. There were two other penetrating wounds, one on his neck and the other on his abdomen which could be caused either by live ammunition or birdshot fired from very close range.

So far no one is allowed to visit Aqeel, and security forces also asked representatives of BCHR to get visitor pass from police station to visit him in the hospital.

SRW condemns the use of violence by Bahraini government in order to stop the protests in this country. As SRW has always advocated, violence has never been a right tool to stop unrests, but observation of human rights is the key to peace.

SRW asks Bahraini authorities to learn from the past and change their attitude toward peaceful protestors immediately.

Shia Activist Zeinab Alkhawaja Detained

Zainab Alkhawaja, member of the BCHR was arrested and sentenced to one month in prison on December 10th, 2012 for entering into the Pearl Square. The BCHR emphasizes that there was no official law stating the prohibition.

The arrest followed Zainab’s protest in front of the hospital in which Aqeel Abdulmuhsen, a 19 years old, was detained. Ageel was shot in the jaw and arm on December 4^th and no one was allowed to visit him. She was subsequently arrested from the hospital. Aqeel’s family members were allowed to see him briefly after the protest of Zainab Alkhawaja.

SRW blames the authorities for all the human rights violations in the Bahrain and appreciates the humanitarian acts of the Zainab and BCHR.

Iraqi Shia Muslim Major Victims of Terrorism in the World

An international study showed that Iraqi Shia represent more than a third of the victims of terrorism in the world between 2002 and 2011.

The study on global terrorism issued by the Institude for Economic and Peace, showed that Iraq has seen the bulk of the terrorist attacks between 2002 and 2011, pointing out that the pace of terrorist attacks declined after a steady rise in the rates between 2002 and 2007 .

The index also pointed out that the greatest increase in the frequency of attacks occured between 2005 and 2007 because of events in Iraq.

The index, which compared 158 countries over the past ten years, highlights the outcome of terrorist operations in the world.

The rate of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan of terrorist attacks between 2002 and 2009 accounted for 12, 11 and 10 percent respectively, according to the study.

Shia Rights Watch Condemns the Killings and Torturing Against Shia Muslims in Indonesia

Shia Rights Watch condemns the terrorist crimes of killings and torturing against Shia Muslim citizens in Indonesia and calls the authorities to bear complete responsibilities in protecting their citizens.

Sources from the field in Eastern Jawa area in Indonesia have reported that some armed terrorist groups attacked Shia villages, killed citizens and burned their houses to impose displacement according to agenda set by an Arabian embassy operating in the country.

While the displaced and fugitive families were taking shelter in sport clubs, the armed groups besieged them. The sources add.

Moreover, more than 60 Shia Muslim families are still in danger.

Shia Rights Watch calls to provide immediate relief for the injured people and lift the siege. The organization also calls the local authority to end its role as passive observer and to punish those extremist groups and suit legal cases against those involved the crimes.

Ambassador of The Republic of the Azerbaijan

No: 426

Date: December 6. 2012

The Honorable Elin Suleymanov

Ambassador of The Republic of the Azerbaijan

Dear Ambassador

Please accept my greeting on behalf of Shia Rights Watch. I am writing to you because of our concern regarding the arrest of the Mr. Cavid Muhammadi in Baku on the October 17th, 2012. Şeyx Cavid Muhammadi is an Islamic activist who focuses non-violence and peace in the community According to our sources he was arrested on the mentioned date in Baku near the Al-Azraq mosque without any explanations. His families are unaware of his situation and there is no clear reason for his arrest.

Our request from you is to kindly investigate his arrest and update us on his situation and place, so we can inform his friend and family of his wellness.

As you may know, Shia Rights Watch is the world’s first independent organization, dedicated to define and protect the rights of Shia Muslims around the world. SRW is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization headquartered in Washington, DC, USA. The organization’s operations rely on research and advocacy to highlight and monitor infractions on Shia human rights. In order to protect these rights, we conduct investigations and publish reports and articles detailing the current atmosphere of human rights for Shia Muslims.

With respect we would like you to investigate the arrest and give us update regarding his situation, our organization look forward to see your administration action to free innocent man and prevent human Rights violation.

Sincerely,
Mustafa Akhwand

Director of the Shia Rights Watch

Ambassador_Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan_President

First Lady_ Azerbaijan

Cavid Memmedhesen prisoners of Conscience in Azerbaijan

Shia Rights Watch calls Azeri authorities to disclose the destiny of a clerk and human rights activist Cavid Memmedhesen Muhemmedov. The local activist was arrested in a top secret and sudden operation by security forces for unknown reasons on October 17^th, 2012. Eye witnesses have reported that Azeri security forces arrested Mohammad from his own house near Masjid al Azraq (the Blue Mosque), in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Shia Rights Watch expresses its deep concerns for such an arbitrary arrest. Azerbaijan is a country is least Shia rights violations. S.R.W is concerned that the mentioned case is a beginning of new movement toward Shia rights violations in this country.

Shia Facing new Restrictions and Discriminations in Egypt

On November 25th, 2012, Shia were prevented from entering mosque to commorate Ashura. Every year many Shia go to Al-Hussain mosque to commemorate Ashura, however this year they were prevented in doing so. Some were even arrested. The authorities claim the arrest was because they did not have their ID card. Shia were identified by their black shirts they wear as a sign of the day of Ashura. They were questioned, arrested and/ or prevented to join the event.

Egyptian Shia have never felt safe to practice their faith in public. Recently anti-Shia Salafi groups have gained straight and oppose Shia’s believes in their statements. This year they attacked Shia beliefs by preventing them from practicing Ashura rituals.

Anti-Shia Salafis have always targeted Shia in their celebrations and they are increasing their authorities in Egypt. S.R.W believes Shia rights are being violated in this country and asks the government to interfere and give Shia their basic human rights.

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