Shia Rights Watch (SRW) is an organization that works to defend justice and rights for
Shia Muslims
Shia Islam is the second-largest Islamic schools and branches, branch of Islam. It holds that Muhammad in Islam, Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib () as both his political Succession to Muhammad, successor (caliph) and as the spiritual le ...
around the world. It is the first of its kind, a non-governmental, not for profit, organization that bases research and advocacy from case studies and reports, hands on experience, field education and policy changing, headquartered in
Washington D.C. By working with victims, humanitarian organizations, journalists and its network of over 600 active members, SRW publishes reports and articles that help to spread awareness of the many human rights abuses committed against the Shia Muslim population throughout the world.
Activities
Shia Rights Watch aims to protect the rights of Shia Muslims through investigative research and targeted advocacy. Its worldwide network provides SRW with the resources to publish detailed reports and articles that shed light on the human rights violations committed every day. The organization goes through media, old and new, and take note of the reports that are being made on Human Rights violations to Shia Muslims around the world. If a media outlet, newspapers or blogs for example, reports on the violent acts and Anti-Shi'ist activities in a light that is honest, unbiased reporting, the organization contacts that media and thanks the author or other organization on the importance of reporting these violations. The organization publicly condemns any reports that justifies violence or entire events itself, trying to raise awareness and bring the violations to the attention of the people.
Reports
Each year, Shia Rights Watch publishes reports that document human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims as defined by the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly that enshrines the Human rights, rights and freedoms of all human beings. Drafted by a UN Drafting of the Universal D ...
. In 2012, SRW published five reports including one on
Pakistan
Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...
,
Bahrain
Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. Situated on the Persian Gulf, it comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island, which mak ...
,
Malaysia
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...
,
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...
, and
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
. These reports include recommendations to the United States government with action steps for each specific country to move towards a more unbiased and peaceful government that does not exclude minorities, including religious minorities. Journalists, researchers, human rights activists and members of the United States government request to the organization, largely based on case studies and research, to obtain a copy.
Articles
Shia Rights Watch actively monitors human rights abuses by monitoring news sources, speaking with victims and witnesses, connecting with its over 600 active members worldwide and analyzing reports released by other nonprofits and NGOs. Using this information, SRW writes articles about these human rights violations that are then published by a number of various news agencies, including
Global Security News,
Jafria News,
Rassd News Network (RNN),
Islam Times, The News Tribe,
AhlulBayt News Agency, and others.
Conventions
Shia Rights Watch is an active member in the humanitarian and Shia Muslim communities. It regularly participates in conferences put on by organizations such as the
Woodrow Wilson Center
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (WWICS) or Wilson Center is a Washington, D.C.–based think tank dedicated to research and policy discussions on global issues. Established by an act of Congress in 1968, it serves as both ...
, the Islamic Information Center and the Universal Muslim Association of America. Head members are often interviewed, reported on, and cited for key issues in the Middle East that involves sectarian violence and humanitarian issues.
Organization
Shia Rights Watch is a non-profit, 501(c) organization. It is funded by private donors and does not receive government assistance.
See also
*
Anti-Shi'ism
References
Introducing a Shia organization: Shia Rights Watch
External links
Shia Rights Watch(official website)
{{Authority control
Civil rights organizations in the United States
Organizations based in Washington, D.C.
Organizations established in 2011
Human rights organizations based in the United States
Shia organizations