Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 25 NOVEMBER 2017 (Volume 1 Issue 10)
Introduction
Action Alert
Articles and Resources Digest
Introduction
Welcome to the Nigeria Digest. In this issue you will find an overview of the last two week’s events, including details of activities marking the second year of horrendous Zaria massacre, protests in Abuja, recent IMN press conferences, and reflections by IMN members recalling the Zaria massacre.
The second anniversary of Zaria massacre fast approaches. This massacre left over a thousand innocent IMN members either dead or missing, and their leader Ibraheem Zakzaky, his wife, and hundreds of IMN members unjustly detained.
This persecution is still on-going, so this week the action alert asks campaigners to demand the Commonwealth intervene in this case to ensure the immediate release of the Sheikh and all of those unjustly imprisoned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBPMXP8fjSk&feature=youtu.be
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Free Zakzaky!
Action Alert:Nigeria– Demand Commonwealth intervene in Zakzaky case
1. Write to the Commonwealth and demand they intervene in this case by writing to the secretary general Baroness Scotland QC, a model letter / email is provided below
2. If you receive a response please forward it to IHRC at info@ihrc.org
Model email / letter
Your name:
Your address:
Date:
Baroness Scotland QC
Marlborough House
Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5HX
Dear Baroness Scotland QC,
Second anniversary of Zaria massacre and illegal detention of Sheikh Zakzaky
I am writing to you to ask for your urgent intervention to help halt the continuing persecution of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) by state authorities. Since the shooting of the IMN’s leader Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky in December 2015 the situation has progressively deteriorated for the movement and its supporters.
In addition to the massacres of December 2015, and the hundreds of detentions without charge, or arrests and sentences based on trumped up charges, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky the movement’s leader and his wife Mallimah Zeenah remain imprisoned without charge, despite a court order demanding their release from December 2016.
I am sure you agree that this is a most terrible state of affairs, and that the Commonwealth Secretariat must intervene to ensure that these injustices are rectified immediately.
Given the Commonwealth’s past actions in imposing sanctions on Nigeria, I urge your office to once more sanction the government of Nigeria until such a time as their political process returns to some form of democratic practice and accountability.
Further, I demand appropriate sanctions be placed against Nigeria for its continued violations of basic human rights norms in this, and other cases.
I look forward to hearing from you regarding the action your office will take in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your signature if posting / scanning / faxing]
Your name
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES
IMN PRESS STATEMENT:
The essence of IMN going to court in Sokoto
24 November 2017
We are looking at the gain of taking on this action, because the issue is not who is involved now or where. The issue of the breach in fundamental human rights does not really depend on who is involved and where. The fundamental issue is who is next. If we close our eyes and watch this kind of activity go on with impunity, one day it could be you or some other group. Somebody could tell any other person in Nigeria not to practice his faith, and there will be total breakdown of law and order…
Press Briefing at federal High Court in Sokoto
Following is the audio link of Press Briefing by the counsel to the Islamic movement in Nigeria, Sokoto on 24 November 2017 by Br. Alex Ajodo at Federal High Court Sokoto immediately after filing a suit on the breach of fundamental Rights against Sokoto State government, the DSS and the police.
https://soundcloud.com/user-744828448/imn-press-conference
Breaking! Shiites in Sokoto drags State Government, Police and DSS to Court.
23 November 2017
Following conspiracies by the sokoto state government, the state police command and DSS to orchestrate violent crackdown on the minority Shi’a community in the state, a suit has been filed n the Federal High Court on the 23rd November, 2017 against the state, the police and DSS. The prayers in the suit, request among others, that the state government be restrained from infringing on the religious rights of the group. The suit according to the group become necessary given series of official pronouncements by the state government banning the peaceful religious activities of the group. The counsel to the group, Barrister Alex Adojo reiterated the need for court action in order to prevent the return of excessive politicization of religious rights of the minority and vulnerable shia population in the state. At the court premises, the counsel argues that the state government, police and DSS have questions to answer regarding their complicity in the preparation to violently attack and displace the group as a strategy for electoral success in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
IMN PRESS CONFERENCE
Two years of the horrendous Zaria massacre and the continued detention of Sheikh Zakzaky
22 November 2017
The second anniversary of the brutal onslaught on the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and its leadership and properties is around us – an attack that left in its wake well over a thousand innocent persons either dead or missing, our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, his wife and several hundred of our members being detained…
Read the full text of press conference in Kaduna by the IMN as part of activities marking the second year of the horrendous Zaria massacre.
Free Zakzaky peaceful protest staged in Abuja
22 November 2017
The Sisters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria staged a peaceful protest demanding for the release of their Leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky in Abuja today the 22nd of Nov 2017. The protest terminated at the Headquarters of the National Human Right Commission where Malama Juwairiyyah addressed the press.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMBfzsl2JqQ
Nigerian Authorities officially put on notice – Release Sheikh Zakzaky or Face International Ostracization
21 November 2017
On the eve of the second anniversary of the Zaria massacre and on the trail of investigation by the ICC at The Hague, the earlier the Nigerian authorities begin to behave as if Zaria massacre raises very significant issue of accountability for them and for the country, the better it will be for the International reputation of Nigeria…
Leaked DSS Secret Memo Reveals Queer Hatred for, and Profound Ignorance of Anything IMNA
20 November 2017
leaked secret memo by the National headquarter of Department of State Services (DSS) reveals the remarkable queer hatred the security outfit bears against the Islamic Movement in Nigeria IMN as well as the profound ignorance of its so-called intelligence officers when it comes to anything pertaining to the Movement…
Exactly 2 years ago! How Nigerian army used bayonets during Zaria massacre
By KM. INUWA. A Survivor of Zaria Massacre
20 November 2017
Before the Army set Sheikh Zakzaky’s home ablaze, We were in a house next to Sheikh Zakzaky’s house, when about 3 soldiers came in shooting without any break. Then another soldier came in telling the rest soldiers,” stop shooting, oga say make we stop shoot, use your knives, use your knives (Bayonets)”; speaking in pidgin English. They then started using their bayonets on the remaining brothers that were still alive, piercing chests, stomachs and all parts of the body with their bayonets. At that moment you could only hear sounds of how the soldiers’ bayonets were piercing through the chests and stomachs, and because of that, till today when ever I see a butcher cutting meat, it reminds me of this Nigerian Army’s terrible evil crimes against humanity.
IMN PRESS STATEMENT
GOV. Tambuwal will be held responsible for any attack on IMN in Sokoto
19 November 2017
We are in the know that the Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has consented to a grand plot to stage a massive crackdown on IMN and its members in Sokoto state. This will involve massive killing of members, including women and children, as well as wanton destruction of properties that will include residential houses and business premises. In preparation of this therefore, series of secret meetings were held in and out of the state, wherein it was decided by the conveners of the meetings that the incumbent Governor will only get a second term if his government is seen to be fighting Shia tooth and nail. It is reckoned that his government’s scorecard in terms of developmental projects is nothing to write home about, hence the only bait is to be seen to adopt a stern anti-Shia posture.
REFLECTIONS
Sheikh Zakzaky calls on Buhari to reorient the Military to stop them seeing citizens as enemies
18 November 2017
The Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky had advised the then incoming government of President Muhammadu Buhari to reorient the Nigerian army in order not to inherit an army that “sees citizens as enemies.”
He made the call at the annual parade ceremony of the Volunteer Guards (Hurras) of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria at the Zaria Polo ground on Saturday June 11, 2015…
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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
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HA9 7XH
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The opinions expressed in this email do not necessarily reflect the views of IHRC
