Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 10 FEBRUARY 2018 (Volume 2 Issue 8)
Introduction
Action Alert
Articles and Resources Digest
INTRODUCTION
Below please find an update on daily sit outs and regular protests in Abuja, senior movement scholar Sheikh Qaseem Umar killed by Nigerian Police and details of Abuja court decision to dismiss cases against the movement members arrested during last month peaceful FreeZakzaky processions.
IHRC has sent a letter to the Nigerian High Commissioner in London and offered to host Sheikh Zakzaky for medical treatment in the UK. We request campaigners to encourage campaigning organisations to do the same and continue with the action alert over the last three weeks. Other organisations in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Turkey are sending similar letters to the Nigerian Embassy / High Commission in their countries. Individual campaigners please keep on praying for the Sheikh, his wife, and all detainees, and demand their immediate release. Two model letters are provided in the action alert – one for organisations and one for individual campaigners. Please forward replies received to us.
To find out more about the Zaria massacre, read IHRC’s submission to the International Criminal Court HERE
To find out how you can help further please visit the IHRC FreeZakzaky campaign page HERE
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Free Zakzaky!
ACTION ALERT FOR THE ORGANISATIONS: Demand immediate release and offer to host Sheikh Zakzaky in your country for medical treatment.
Campaigners / Organisations are requested to demand meeting with local Nigerian Embassy and offer to host Sheikh Zakzaky for urgent medical treatment in your country, using the model letter below.
Model letter
Please adapt the model below and forward any response you receive to IHRC on info@ihrc.org.
Click on following link to find the name, address and contact details of the relevant diplomat in your country:
https://www.embassypages.com/nigeria
If you are emailing, please use the following in the subject line:
MEETING TO DISCUSS URGENT MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR SHEIKH ZAKZAKY
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]
His Excellency [Insert Name]
Embassy Address
Your Excellency,
We are writing to you to raise our concerns about the continued detention of Mu’allim Ibrahim Zakzaky, head of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).
I am sure you are aware that Shaykh Zakzaky’s house was demolished and he was injured and arrested by the Nigerian military on 14 December 2015, and has been held since without any charges or a trial. Shaykh Zakzaky, whose health has rapidly deteriorated, is in need of special medical attention. Since his arrest, Shaykh Zakzaky has lost his sight in one eye and the use of one arm. Shaykh Zakzaky also suffered a stroke earlier this year which has further aggravated his dire condition.
The courts ordered Shaykh Zakzaky’s release and he should have been free since 15 January 2017, unfortunately the security services have continued to detain him contrary to court order.
Shaykh Zakzaky’s condition requires specialist medical attention and will need to go abroad to get the necessary treatment. We Name organization is happy to host Shaykh Zakzaky and his wife in Name Country and we will cover all the costs involved, including his travel, accommodation, medical expenses as well as any other expenses that may arise from the trip.
This matter has now dragged on for two years and has become a major blemish on Nigeria’s good name in the international arena. We urge you to use all your powers and influence to help bring about a swift and peaceful resolution.
We would like to request a meeting to discuss this matter further. Please provide a date and time you will be available to discuss how this matter can be resolved.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
NAME
ACTION ALERT FOR INDIVIDUAL CAMPAIGNERS: Demand urgent medical treatment for Sheikh Zakzaky
Campaigners are asked to write to or email the Nigeria President and the Nigerian Ambassador or High Commissioner in your country, using the model letter below.
Model letter
Please adapt the model below depending on who you are sending it to. The addresses and salutations you need are presented below the model. Please forward any response you receive to IHRC on info@ihrc.org.
If you are emailing, please use the following in the subject line:
URGENT MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR SHEIKH ZAKZAKY
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]
[Insert name / address of
Person you are sending this to]
Dear [insert name],
I write to demand that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Mallima Zeenah are allowed to leave the country for urgent medical treatment.
The continued detention of both of these figures as well as hundreds of others has been a huge stain on the reputation of your government and Nigeria. By not allowing Sheikh Zakzaky and Mallima Zeenah, whose health continues to severely deteriorate as a result of injuries inflicted by your authorities, the medical treatment he needs, you are adding further evidence of your government’s inhumanity and cruelty.
I look forward to your confirmation of their release for treatment by return.
Your sincerely,
[Your signature if posting]
[Your name]
Addresses and salutations
(i) President Muhammadu Buhari
H.E. President Muhammadu Buhari
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Office of the President
Aso Rock, Abuja
Nigeria
You can submit an email by this form but this page often does not work:
https://statehouse.gov.ng/contacts/
(ii) Nigerian Ambassador / High Commissioner in your country
Please find the name, address and contact details of the relevant diplomat in your country here:
https://www.embassypages.com/nigeria
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES
Abuja Magistrate Court Dismisses Case Against Members Of The Movement
10 February 2018 – Freezakzaky Reflections online
An Abuja magistrate court sitting in Wuse Zone 6 in the Federal Capital Abuja, yesterday dismissed the case brought before it against 19 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria arrested in Abuja early last month while peacefully conducting a free Zakzaky procession.
The people were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly, rioting, and criminal conspiracy among other charges. They were all however earlier granted bail at the first sitting last month, after they all pleaded not guilty to the charges…
Daily Sit Out Extends To Justice Ministry
09 February 2018
For the second time since the commencement of the Daily Free Zakzaky Sit Out at the Unity Fountain in Abuja by the coalition of groups led by the Concerned Nigerians some 22 days ago, the event extended beyond the venue.
This time around, it transformed into a free Zakzaky procession that went to the Federal Ministry of Justice to deliver a list of complaints and demands to the Federal Attorney General (AGF).
Sea Of Heads, Ocean Of Tears As Shaheed Sheikh Qaseem Killed by Murderous Nigerian President Buhari, Is Laid To Rest:
08 February 2018
Sokoto town received an unprecedented number of persons and witnessed what can best be described as an ocean of tears on Wednesday the 7th of Feb 2018 in an otherwise dry town, as a leading member of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria killed by agents of security apparatus was laid to rest in his home town.
The death of Sheikh Qaseem Umar Sokoto, who was shot by Nigerian Police while peacefully protesting against the illegal detention of Sheikh Zakzaky – the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria had shaken everybody, members and nonmembers alike.
Sheikh Qaseem’s death was said to have taken people by surprise as he was said to be recuperating well at a private facility in Kano where he was receiving treatment after the police acting on a tip off, identified and shot him in Abuja some weeks back before his condition was said to have suddenly deteriorated.
The Funeral prayer at Sultan Abubakar III Mosque was led by Sheikh Saleh Lazare from Niger Republic and was attended by several thousands from nooks and corners of Nigeria including neighbouring countries.
PRESS STATEMENT: FG Is Responsible For The Death Of Sheikh Qaseem Umar
08 February 2018 – Islamic Movement Media Forum
As a leading figure in the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Qaseem Umar is laid to rest in his home, Sokoto today 07/02/18, we unequivocally announce to the world that the federal government must bear responsibility for his death since he was shot by its agents while peacefully protesting the illegal detention of Sheikh Zakzaky – the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
Plain cloth policemen acting on a tip off, identified and shot him at close range in Abuja, breaking his right thigh. He was taken to a private facility in Kano to receive treatment. However, he became a martyr on Monday 05/02/18 due to the injuries from that shot. This brings to at least three the number of persons the police killed on that day alone while engaged in a peaceful free Zakzaky protest. Two others had previously been buried. Several others escaped with varying degrees of injuries.
Fundamental Rights: FHC Kaduna Adjourns Sitting
08 February 2018
The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned sitting in the case of the enforcement of the fundamental rights of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria to 22nd March, 2018 for hearing.
At the resumed sitting today, the trial judge frowned at the absence of the seventh and eighth defendants to the case even when it was clear they have been clearly served. “They can’t drag the case back,” he said. “If they like let them not make an appearance. I will continue the case and give my judgement.”
Both the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) didn’t make an appearance in the case…
Free Zakzaky in Abuja on 8th of Feb 2018
08 February 2018
Another Free Zakzaky protest was staged in Abuja on Thursday the 8th of Feb 2018.
Free Zakzaky in Abuja on 7th of Feb 2018
07 February 2018
Daily free Zakzaky protests continued in Abuja. The pictures were taken during free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on Wednesday the 7th of Feb 2018 after daily Sit Out.
IHRC PRESS RELEASE – NIGERIA: Sheikh Qaseem Umar killed by Nigeria Police
05 February 2018
The Sheikh was shot by Nigerian Police while peacefully protesting against the illegal detention of Shaykh Zakzaky – the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. Sheikh Qaseem was a learned teacher and an integral contributor to the IMN.
IHRC demands justice for his death as well as for all those who have suffered in the wake of the massacre in Zaria in 2015…
It was Martyrs’ Day At The Unity Fountain Daily Sit Out Today
05 February 2018
Today’s Free Zakzaky Daily Sit Out that is ongoing at the Unity Fountain in Abuja was dedicated to the over a thousand martyrs killed during the Zaria massacre of December 2015 and the many hundreds further killed since then by police, army and a variety of their agents.
Speaking at the place, one of the survivors, Malam Dalha Zaria, who was previously serially shot on several occasions, described how this time too he was shot on the chest at the Gyellesu residence of Sheikh Zakzaky by the rampaging soldiers. “As I fell to the ground after the initial shot, the soldiers took aim at me and shot five times but missed me,” he explained. He further explained, “again I survived this attack because my life wasn’t in their hands.”
Why DSS Is Punishing Zakzaky
03 February 2018 – Reflections online
If you are in doubt as to why the department of State Security (DSS) is in contempt of court as regards the release of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, please Click Here to watch.
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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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