Bahrain Mirror: The department of religious freedom of the Bahrain Human Rights Observatory (BHRO) denounced the Bahraini authorities' ongoing violations of the citizens' religious right to practice their religious rituals during the occasion of Ashura, deeming the attacks that took place in Karzakan and Al-Malikiya are proof of "the increase of violations of religious freedoms, and illegal measures that restrict the right to express religious beliefs."

The BHRO further stressed that "the Ashura rituals are sacred and have a deep-rooted place in the hearts of Bahrainis of various sects and a long history. It is an occasion respected by all citizens regardless of their ideological, political, social and religious affiliations. What the authorities are doing will have serious ramifications on the country."

It also considered that taking down Ashura flags and banners that are set up to express grief over the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (pbuh) in villages, cities, neighborhoods and residential areas commemorating Ashura "is a blatant violation of religious freedoms guaranteed by divine laws and international human rights conventions," calling for "an immediate halt of everything that might violate Bahrain's international commitments and obligations."

Arabic Issue