Al Saud Practice a Discriminative Sectarian Policy

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

( CDHRAP )

NO  : 140/ H / 2007

DATE  : 30 / 10 / 2007  

The Saudi regime is still refusing to recognize the legitimate rights of Shi'a citizens in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the people of Eastern Province where the Shi'a majority.

It is difficult to imagine the tragic situation faced by Shi'a citizens which threatens dire consequences against people who strive for a decent life based on equality in rights and duties .

On 21 October  the Saudi security forces of Al-Ahsa arrested the cleric (Sheikh Ali Hussain al-'Ammar , a teacher in the Hawza "Shi'a religious seminary" 0f Al-Ahsa and in charge of a feminine Hawza ) from the village of Buttalia in Al-Ahsa without charges . He was released next day without informing him with the accusation  .

It is noteworthy ,.

On 27 October  , the Saudi authorities of Al-Ahsa arrested the citizen (Mustafa Hassan al-Ali, 34 years , from the village of Rumaila , a government employee) on charges of participating in a religious congregation in the Hussainiya of the village  .

On 29 October  , The General Administration for Girls Education in Al Ahsa′ issued a decision stated to band teaching religious materials in primary schools for girls in the eastern region by Shi'a female teachers ecept ones who belong to the official religious sect .

The Committee   for  the  Defense  of  Human  Rights  in the  Arabian Peninsula calls the Saudi regime to respect the religious beliefs of followers of other Islamic schools that do not follow the official doctrine, support the religious tolerance and reject the sectarian division in society .

CDHRAP also calls the international community, international human rights and non-governmental organizations to be aware to Saudi human rights violations against Shi'a of Arabian Peninsula , and appeals 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 .