31 Shia Muslim Activists Lost Their Citizenship in Bahrain

Shia Rights Watch (SRW) condemns the Bahrain government last action toward majority Shia Muslim population.

Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 31 Shia Muslim activists, among which are three clerics: Hussein Mirza, Khaled Mansour Sanad and Alawi Sharaf.

Bahrain government continuing to violate human rights by restricting Bahraini citizen’s practices.

Shia Rights Watch urges national human rights organizations to act toward stopping Bahrain authorities violation of human rights.

Bahrain government should give back these activists their citizenship and release all activist arrested

List of People who had their citizenship revoked.. Click Here

Religious scholar killed in Pakistan

Pakistani Shia are under constant victimization but Pakistani authorities deny help to Shia Muslim citizen.

Religious scholar Allama Aftab Haidar Jafari was killed while unidentified men opened fire on his car.

Mirza Shahid Ali is a second Shia Muslim who was also killed.

Allama Aftab Haider Jafri was a leader of the Jafria Alliance.

Shia Being Forced to Convert in Indonesia

Anti-Shia activities are growing in Indonesia. Earlier, Shia Rights Watch reported the burn down of many Shia civilians’ homes in Sampang. Eye witnesses reported that the Anti-Shia group slaughtered some Shia Muslims and injured 7 others before burning 10 of their houses. Hundreds of Sampang Shia were forced to take shelter at the sports center after the incident.

Immediately SRW urged Indonesian authorities to protect the life of its Shia civilians, in respond, the Indonesian government guaranteed the safety and security of the Shia in the area.

Now, once again the human rights of the Shia are being violated in this country. It is reported that Shia refugees, who are currently taking shelter at a sports center, were forced to sign statements saying that they were willing to convert to Sunni school of thought. Kontras Surabaya coordinator Andy Irfan said that the Shia were forced to sign such statements on Nov 1/ 2012. The statement says the Shia followers were willing to return to “the right path”.

This act violates the article number 18 of the International Bill of Human Rights that states:

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Indonesian Shia must enjoy freedom of religion as it is guaranteed for all under the stated Bill.

Shia Rights Watch, once again, urges the Indonesian government to respect the law and protect the Shia from violence and human rights violations.

43 Years Old Asiyeh al Madih Killed in Bahrain due to Poisonous Tear Gas

Shia Muslim in Bahrain are still the target of inhumane treatment despite being the majority population. The government of Bahrain, by support of Saudi Arabia, continues targeting innocent people.

According to Bahrain center for human rights until now 96 people have been killed and many others injured in the Saudi-backed crackdown on peaceful protesters in Bahrain.

Poisonous tear gas used by Bahraini forces against Shia has killed 43 years old woman in Jid Hafas.

The victim, killed on Sunday November 4, 2012 was identified as Asiyeh al Madih, 43, after a tear gas canister hit her while walking in a street during an overnight attack by regime forces in Jid Hafas.

Gilit activist Ashiq Hussein killed in Karachi

According to Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies, one of the activist who worked on settling Shia population in Gilgit was killed by Anti-Shia terrorist in Karachi.

40 years old Ashiq Hussein was one of the people trying to stop the violence against Shia Muslim in the area.

SRW Holds the United Nations Responsible for Their Silence Toward Bahraini Government’s Inhumane Actions

Shia Rights Watch hold the United Nations responsible for their silence toward Bahraini government’s inhumane actions against unarmed citizens. The United Nations and the international community at large have responsibility to protect and defend the suppressed Bahraini citizen who are losing their lives and dignity everyday in the country, especially the village of Al Eker.

Several reliable sources in Bahrain confirmed that Bahraini security forces and the so-called Peninsula Shield Saudi sieged the village of Al Eker along with some other villages in recent weeks.

The village was locked down after the government accused the peaceful protesters of the death of two policemen. Sources could not find any connection between peaceful protestors and the death of the policemen.

Since the lock down residents are not allowed to enter, exit or go to work. The authorities do no allow any medical help to be provided to injured. Sources reveal houses were raided, causing physical and emotional discomfort.

Shia Rights Watch condemns the illegal and inhumane acts of the Bahraini government . All humans must have access to their basic human rights. Bahraini government is violating the citizens rights by killing and arresting them.

United Nation and other human rights organs are silent and S.R.W urges them to act immediately and help all Bahraini citizens, especially the residents of Al Eker.

10 Shia Muslim killed and 26 wounded in Iraq

(Shia Rights Watch)- Violence in Iraq seems unwilling to cease. Unfortunately most of the attacks are against the Shia population. In a Shia majority country such as Iraq, Shia Muslims still face violence and aggression from Anti- Shia groups.

According to reporters, three Car bombs killed at least 10 Shia Muslims and wounded 30 in Shia districts in Baghdad on Tuesday, October 23, 2012.

The bombs exploded in a Shia neighborhood, northwestern Baghdad, and Kazemiya.

Anti-Shia terrorist do what they can to keep fear among the Shia population in Iraq, unknowing that every single blood that been lost, makes the Shia in Iraqmore resilient in facing terrorist.

Shia Muslims in Iraq try their best to keep the peace in the country but unfortunately, the government of Iraq does not put effort to keep its Shia population safe and start a Anti-Terrorist task force.

Shia Rights Watch have asked the Iraqi government to protect the Shia Muslims and their right to live in peace without worrying about the next bomb explosion in their neighborhood.

Crime Against Shia Muslim Continues

Anti-Shia terrorist once again commit an atrocity in Syria. According to SRW reporter, the daughter of one of the well-known Shia families was kidnaped days ago in the town of Maliha, around Damascus. Anti-Shia terrorist raped her, cut all her hair and left her on the side of the street without any cloth.

Shia Rights Watch condemns this inhumane action and urges the different groups in Syria to issue a statement and ask members to respect the Shia Muslims and stop any violence toward them.

Hajj and Repeated Restrictions for Shia Pilgrims

Shia Pilgrims Subject to Unexpected Search in Saudi Arabia Shia members of the Imam Shirazi World Foundation(ISWF) were followed by special agents in Medina and their rooms and bags were searched in detail.

Saudi authorities entered the hotel room of all members of the Shia organization and requested their travel documents and passports and also searched all their bags.

When asked for reason for the search they answered ” we are looking for a lost bag”!!

Saudi authorities have always pressured Shia but the unfair treatment is increasing every Hajj year.

Hajj is one of the most important Muslim ceremonies done once a year in the Saudi Arabia where the Prophet Muhammad’s shrine and Kaaba, the house of God, are located.

Shia pilgrims have always complained that they are subject to unfair treatment because of their faith; They cannot perform daily prayer using prayer stone, they are forced to pray in a Wahhabi tradition style: they cannot visit their Imams’ graves in Baqi.

Baqi a holy cemetery where four of Shia Imams’ graves are placed along with many other prophet’s family members. There used to be a shrine but the Saudi government destroyed it, so Shia can no longert visit the graves.

Shia who go to Hajj or those who live in this country, face human rights violations due to their faith. The Saudi government has promised to open dialogue between religions and faiths in this country but no action was taken. For more information regarding Shia rights violations in Saudi Arabia read the S.R.W 2012 Saudi Arabia reports.

for reviewing the report: Click here

4 Shia Muslim Dead and 3 wounded in gun fire

Baluchestan has lost four more Shia Muslims due to Anti-Shia attack in southwestern province of the area.

The incident took place in a local market in the provincial capital city of Quetta early on Tuesday when the armed men opened fire on Shia shopkeepers and killed four.

There were 3 wounded Shia who were taken to the nearby hospital, according to report they were from the Hazara community.

The killing of Shias has caused international outrage, with human rights groups and regional countries, expressing concern over the situation.

Shia Rights Watch calls on the government to form a judicial commission to investigate the attacks on Shia Muslims.

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