Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain Center for Human Rights said that it documented violations committed by the Ministry of Interior against Ashura rituals in 15 villages, condemning the actions practiced by the authorities against religious beliefs.

The center stressed that forces affiliated to the security apparatuses removed Ashura banners and flags in at least 15 villages across Bahrain, adding that policemen used tear gas canisters to clamp down on protestors who rose up against removal of religious banners.

BCHR condemned "the Bahraini authorities' attacks against the religious rituals in the country," and expressed its concerns that "such strict measures would prevent hundreds of Bahraini from practicing their rights in religious rituals, especially with the beginning of Muharram in which people used to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein bin Ali bin Abi Taleb."

The authorities used violent attacks to forcibly remove the religious banners from a number of villages, according to the center.

The center demanded in a statement to allow citizens to practice their right in commemorating their religious rituals without restrictions or harassment, break the siege imposed by the security authorities on Diraz as well as guarantee all the human rights, in particular those related to the freedom of religion and belief, after religious preachers were banned from holding mourning processions.

Bahrain Center for Human Rights further stated that Diraz comprises about 18 obsequies for men and 10 for women, i.e. at least 70 mourning processions are held in Ashura. However, as the government revoked the citizenship of the highest Shiite religious authority Sheikh Isa Qassim and the popular protest started outside his home since June, the government besieged Diraz, blocking 21 entrances for the village and allowing citizens to enter through check points after presenting their IDs. The authorities also prevented the largest Friday prayers in Bahrain for more than 10 consecutive weeks.

Arabic Version