Valuable outcomes can have high prices, but human rights should not be sacrificed to pay the price. There should always be respect for human rights; all sides of the fight should follow the international law of human rights. Unfortunately, in Syria all sides of the fight have been violating rights.
From the beginning of the unrest in Syria, Shia Rights Watch’s director, Mustafa Akhwand, has warned government of Syria and Free Syrian Army (FSA) to implement human rights and respect all minority groups in the country.
History reveals revolutions always attack lives of innocent people to satisfy people who seek power. Situation in Syria is little different; minority groups have been targeted from day one. Many Shia Muslims families flee from their homes due to the fear of being killed by extremist who believe killing Shia Muslims is a spiritual practice. Some Shia were hanged in the streets. Wahhabi extremists marked residents of Shia during daytime and murder them at night. Many worship centers and mosques were burned down or demolished because they belonged to the Shia sect of Islam. There are many reliable evidences including pictures and videos that unfold the horrible and inhumane activities in Syria, media however does not publicize them. Media was (and is) aware of the situation and discrimination against Shia Muslims but prefer to stay silent. It is not unrealistic to suspect and conclude that media is being financially fed by Anti-Shia extremists so they do not cover the reality of targeted Shia massacre in Syria and some other countries.
Shia Rights Watch, many times, condemned violence from either government or FSA toward minorities in the country, but still violence increases every day.
SRW met with a number of human rights and governmental organizations and sought their help to stop the violence however none agreed to announce official condemnation against Shia killings.
SRW hopes that this article reaches both sides of the unrest in Syria and encourage them to respect International Human Rights Law and protect all, including minorities.
