ID :
212824
Sat, 10/15/2011 - 11:51
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/212824
The shortlink copeid
Saudi Shias seeking their civil rights
TEHRAN, Oct.15 (MNA) -- To properly analyze the recent demonstrations in Saudi Arabia it is necessary to take a good look at the nature of the popular protests, especially in the eastern region of the country where the social and religious context is totally different.
The people of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province have been deprived of their civil rights only because they are a religious minority with different beliefs.
Historically, the establishment of the Saudi monarchist system increased the isolation of the Shias of the Eastern Province. They are constantly being accused of having connections to Iran due to their geographical proximity to Iran and the fact that they are Shia, which provides an excuse for the ruling system to repress them and ignore their demands.
The government of Saudi Arabia has always used this subterfuge to foment sectarian disputes.
However, the Shia citizens of the country should be able to enjoy equal rights, just like other citizens, and their demands should not be dismissed only because of their denominational orientation.
Saudi Arabia’s eastern cities have been affected by the recent popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. As usual, the government has used the iron-fist policy to repress the protesters, which is a serious miscalculation that could create more problems.
The Saudi government must get a better understanding of the demands of Shia citizens. The protesters in Qatif and other cities in the eastern region are asking for their basic civil rights and nothing more. They are not seeking to depose the regime but are only calling for an end to the excessive social and political inequality, which has deprived them of their basic rights and liberties.
The people of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province have been deprived of their civil rights only because they are a religious minority with different beliefs.
Historically, the establishment of the Saudi monarchist system increased the isolation of the Shias of the Eastern Province. They are constantly being accused of having connections to Iran due to their geographical proximity to Iran and the fact that they are Shia, which provides an excuse for the ruling system to repress them and ignore their demands.
The government of Saudi Arabia has always used this subterfuge to foment sectarian disputes.
However, the Shia citizens of the country should be able to enjoy equal rights, just like other citizens, and their demands should not be dismissed only because of their denominational orientation.
Saudi Arabia’s eastern cities have been affected by the recent popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. As usual, the government has used the iron-fist policy to repress the protesters, which is a serious miscalculation that could create more problems.
The Saudi government must get a better understanding of the demands of Shia citizens. The protesters in Qatif and other cities in the eastern region are asking for their basic civil rights and nothing more. They are not seeking to depose the regime but are only calling for an end to the excessive social and political inequality, which has deprived them of their basic rights and liberties.
