2017 Annual Report – Shia Rights Watch

2018 marks the 7th anniversary of Shia Rights Watch. Over the past seven years, our organization and our team have grown from a Washington, DC-based minority rights group to an internationally renowned institution active in both the United Nations and the International community.

Bahrain: Another Year of Deep State Repression

This past year in Bahrain, much like those preceding it since the popular uprisings of 2011, was one of unending repression and persecution of human rights activists. Yet, the Trump administration and the British government, arguably two of the most influential actors in Bahrain, have remained silent in the face of al-Khalifa atrocities against human rights activists, especially within the Shia majority.

See also: NY Times

Bahrain: Government expels citizens after having revoked their nationality

Turning citizens into stateless people and banishing them by forcing them to leave the country is a violation of international law. Lynn Maalouf, Director of Research for the Middle-east at Amnesty International The Bahraini government expelled four of its citizens whose nationality was revoked in 2012, in yet another display of the kingdom’s steady and sustained disregard of its own citizens and for human rights and international law more broadly, said Amnesty International.

Bahrain arrests 47, charges 290 in mass crackdown

DUBAI: Bahraini police said Sunday they had arrested 47 people on charges linked to terrorism, including plots to assassinate “public figures,” as well as filing charges against another 290. The government accuses Tehran of training “terrorist cells” in the tiny island state. Iran denies involvement.

Bahrain ruling on Nabeel Rajab jail term condemned

Human rights groups have roundly condemned a ruling by a Bahraini court to affirm a two-year jail sentence of activist Nabeel Rajab, saying the verdict “illustrates the corruption” of the kingdom’s justice system. Rajab had been found guilty in July of “spreading rumours and untruthful information” against the government in TV interviews.

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Imminent execution of six in Saudi, Six sentenced to death in Bahrain VOB.ORG

There are fears among the inhabitants of East Arabia that the execution of six Shia Muslims from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia may be imminent. Yesterday they were transferred from a prison in the Eastern city of Dammam to the capital, Riyadh, where executions often takes place.

New ADHRB White Paper – Sectarian Discrimination and Extremism in Bahrain’s Security Forces: Questions for US Policy

New evidence suggests that Bahrain’s military has directly propagated sectarian hate speech – yet the Trump administration has dropped reform conditions and authorized new multibillion-dollar arms deals for the kingdom. ADHRB’s white paper, Sectarian Discrimination and Extremism in Bahrain’s Security Forces: Questions for US Policy, analyzes the abusive recruitment and training practices that pervade the Bahraini security sector amidst increasingly unrestricted American defense support.

Health of Bahrain’s Top Shiite Cleric Worsens

In a statement, the organization said Ayatollah Qassim, who is in his 70s and has other health problems, including high blood pressure and diabetes, was “in continuous pain and excreting blood.” The statement said the cleric’s family had implored the police surrounding his home to allow a visit on Sunday by doctors, who had recommended an emergency operation.

Government launches bizarre attempt to link opposition with Qatar

New charges levied against Sheikh Ali Salman Bahraini authorities have sought new charges against Sheikh Ali Salman, Secretary General of Al Wefaq, accusing him of working as a spy for the state of Qatar. He is now due to stand trial on 26th November, with two other individuals indicted, Hassan Sultan and Ali Alaswad, a former MP now residing in London.