Wefaq, rights groups rap Manama regime

Bahrain’s main opposition group, al-Wefaq, and two rights organizations say the Manama regime promotes sectarian tension by attacking Shias during religious processions marking the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).

Al-Wefaq along with the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) have documented attacks by regime forces on several Shia neighborhoods in the country during the religious ceremonies commemorating Ashoura, which marks the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The violations include taking down flags and banners, attacking people in religious processions and storming religious centers.

The Bahraini regime has blocked a website that broadcasts live mourning events of Ashoura from over 30 areas in the country.

The BCHR and BYSHR say the documented attacks violate freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and amount to discrimination against majority Shias with the aim of increasing sectarianism in the Bahraini society.

Bahraini security forces have also used excessive force and tear gas against religious events.

On November 8, Bahraini police fired tear gas at people who tried to stop security forces from taking down religious banners in their neighborhood in the village of Nuwaidrat.

Security forces also attacked a group of people participating in a religious procession in the village of Ma’ameer on November 4.

The two Bahraini human rights organizations also called for the Manama regime to consider article 18 of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights which says, “everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.”

The Bahraini regime is yet to comment why it has targeted Shia Muslims during religious ceremonies.