The World Federation of KSIMC and The Al-Khoei Foundation strongly condemn the expulsion of Ayatollah Sheikh Hussein al-Najati, who is the representative of the highest Shia authority in the world, the Grand Ayatollah Seyed Ali al-Sistani, in Bahrain.
Ayatollah al-Najati was forcefully expelled from Bahrain today, after being given a 48-hour ultimatum, to depart the country or face his family being detained. His expulsion, which follows the stripping of nationality from 31 other politicians and activists in November 2012, marks the latest in a series of crackdowns against human rights activists and religious figures.
The World Federation of KSIMC and The Al-Khoei Foundation urge the Bahraini authorities to use reason and dialogue to resolve their internal problems, and refrain from using draconian measures which can only ignite further tension in the country.
We believe that Ayatollah al-Najati’s expulsion, the withdrawal of his nationality and other activists’, the destruction of sacred places of worship and the closure of the Islamic Ulema Council, warrants the urgent intervention of the Human Rights Council. We strongly urge the Human Rights Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and on the situation of human rights defenders to intervene, and also urge the authorities in Bahrain to reinstate the Ayatollah's nationality and refrain from the continuous threats, harassment, intimidation and expulsion of the Shia community in Bahrain and its figurative leaders.
