Demolition of an oratory in Eastern Province 

The Committee   for  the  Defense  of  Human  Rights  in the  Arabian Peninsula

( CDHRAP ) 

DATE  : 29 / 04 / 2007  

NO  : 134/ H / 2007

On 28 / 4 / 2007 Muslim Shi'a  citizens were protesting the demolition of an oratory in Awamiyah town of Qatif Governorate .

The events began when the Saudi authorities ordered to demolish a place of prayer in the middle of the town used by people there to do the prayer of holiday ( 'Aed ) or practicing religious riots , as conducting funerals, weddings, and other religious ceremonies .  

It is worth mentioning that a lot of armed forces were called , security police , members of al-Mabahith al-'Amma and riot police , estimated 300 members headed by the police chief of Qatif . 

The authorities blocked all ways conveyed to the place , banned boiling people  to reach the place . 

At night , the people of Awwamiyah came near the place and tried to clash with police . The authorities called a lot of forces and armed vehicles to the town . 

Previously, the Saudi authorities have sent a warning to people there to remove that oratory and arrested the supervisor ,  Sheikh (Nimr Baqer al-Nimr), who was released later. 

Within these critical circumstances , the CDHRAP call the international community, international human rights and non-governmental organizations to be aware to Saudi human rights violations against Shi'a of Arabia Peninsula , and appeal them to show their attitude towards these practices . As we know that these organizations pledged to watch human rights violations and obliged themselves to defend them according to the human rights treaties and conventions approved by UN.