Shia Rights Watch: February 2025 Report on Shia Human Rights

Briefing Document

This briefing document summarizes the key themes and incidents detailed in the Shia Rights Watch February 2025 report. 

Main Themes:

• Targeted Violence: The report highlights numerous instances of direct violence against Shia Muslims, including bombings, assassinations, executions, and targeted killings.
• Forced Displacement: Shia communities are being forcibly displaced from their homes due to sectarian threats and violence, often accompanied by looting and property confiscation.
• Religious Persecution: Shia religious practices are being restricted, including bans on Friday prayers and attacks on religious shrines. Extremist ideologies that deem Shia Muslims as "infidels" are being promoted.
• Governmental Oppression: Some governments are actively persecuting Shia citizens through citizenship revocation, deportations, arbitrary arrests, and restrictions on religious freedom.
• Impunity and Inaction: Authorities often fail to protect Shia communities from extremist violence, secure aid convoys, or hold perpetrators accountable.

Key Incidents and Countries:

Afghanistan:

• Forced Conversion: "Dozens of Shia Muslims in Badakhshan province were forcibly converted to Sunni Islam by Taliban authorities, who accused them of heresy." This highlights the imposition of religious ideology by force.
• Bombing: "At least 18 people were killed and 45 injured in a terrorist bombing outside a bank in Kunduz..." This exemplifies the dangers of indiscriminate violence targeting Shia communities.

Pakistan:

• Siege: "Over half a million Shia Muslims remain under siege by extremist groups, while authorities fail to secure aid convoys, which have been repeatedly attacked." This points to a humanitarian crisis and government inaction.
• Targeted Killings: "Activist Syed Tanveer Hussain was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Dera Ismail Khan." This indicates the vulnerability of Shia activists and leaders.
• Attacks on Aid: "A humanitarian convoy heading to Parachinar was attacked by armed extremists, resulting in the death of several truck drivers and significant damage to the convoy." This showcases the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian assistance.

Bahrain:

• Citizenship Revocation & Deportation: "The Bahraini government revoked the citizenship of 700 naturalized Pakistanis and deported them due to their Shia faith." This demonstrates governmental discrimination based on religious affiliation.
• Religious Restrictions: "Bahraini authorities blocked Shia worshippers from attending Friday prayers for four consecutive weeks, restricting access to mosques in Druze." This signifies the suppression of Shia religious practices.

Lebanon:

• Israeli Military Actions: "The Israeli military destroyed dozens of houses belonging to Shia farmers in Rabb al-Thalathin and Yaroun." and "Israeli fighter jets bombed the town of Jarjouaa, killing and injuring several Shia civilians." These incidents detail the impact of conflict on Shia communities.

Syria:

• Widespread Violence and Displacement: The report details a litany of violent incidents in Syria, including killings, kidnappings, torture, forced displacement, and destruction of religious sites.
• Targeting of Religious Figures: "Terrorist groups behead a Sheikh in Al-Tuwaim village" This shows the targeted elimination of Shia religious leaders.
• Sectarian Education: "Authorities impose Takfiri curricula in educational institutions, books that label Druze, Alawites, Shias, and Sufis as infidels." This reveals the propagation of