Shia Rights Watch releases its monthly report on anti-Shia violations during Holy Ashura (2024)
Shia Rights Watch (SRW) has recently published its monthly report on the violations against Shia Muslims during Holy Ashura in a number of countries, underscoring the pervasive and escalating nature of anti-Shia sentiment and actions globally.
The documented incidents in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Bahrain, and Pakistan illustrate a common threat of targeted oppression and violence against Shia communities.
SRW said that, “the period of Ashura, marking the first ten days of Muharram has once again been marred by severe and widespread violations against Shia Muslims, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia. These violations range from direct physical attacks to systemic legal and social restrictions, reflecting a disturbing pattern of sectarian violence and discrimination.”
In Karbala, Iraq, the rights group said that a Katyusha rocket was launched in a terrorist attempt to disrupt the Ashura commemorations, highlighting the persistent threat of violence faced by Shia pilgrims, confirming that no casualties were recorded.
In Kuwait, the report confirmed that unprecedented measures were taken by the authorities to dismantle Ashura commemorations, adding that the removal of these religious displays, traditionally organized by Kuwaiti Shia Muslims, led to public outcry and the arrest of several individuals, including a former parliamentarian.
On the situation in Afghanistan, Shia Rights Watch said that restrictive orders by Taliban further exemplify the institutionalized suppression of Shia religious practices, explaining that banning public Ashura displays and threatening severe consequences for non-compliance, the Taliban have exacerbated the marginalization and persecution of Shia Muslims in the country.
In Bahrain, the group said that government actions to remove Ashura symbols and prevent religious figures from participating in rituals represent a direct attack on the Shia community’s religious expression, pointing out that espite being the majority population, Bahraini Shia Muslims continue to face systemic discrimination.
The organization concluded its report with the situation in Pakistan, which it described as dire, with continued reports of kidnappings and assassinations of Shia activists, stressing that these acts of violence, often perpetrated by extremist groups, highlight the persistent danger and insecurity faced by Shia Muslims in Pakistan.
Shia Rights Watch urged global human rights organizations, policymakers, and the international community to take concerted actions to protect Shia Muslims and uphold their rights to religious freedom and safety.
It stressed that recurring nature of these violations during significant religious observances like Ashura underscores the deep-rooted prejudices and the systemic challenges that need to be addressed to ensure justice and equality for Shia communities worldwide.
