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Nigeria Digest #35

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Nigeria Digest #35

6 May 2018

Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 05 May 2018 (Volume 2 Issue 20)

Introduction
Action Alert
Articles and Resources Digest

INTRODUCTION

Below please find an update on this week’s daily sit out and regular Free Zakzaky protests in the Nigerian capital Abuja and other cities in the country. This week there was a forcible attempt to serve court summons to Sheikh Zakzaky which he declined to accept because of the government’s failure to comply with the earlier court judgement requiring his unconditional release.

In this week’s Action Alert, we request campaigners to write emails / letters to the local Nigerian High Commission / Embassy in your country, demanding the immediate release of the Sheikh and all those unjustly imprisoned.

Please forward any responses to any campaign letter s/ emails you have sent to us and please keep the pressure up and send (follow up) letters / emails. A model letter is provided below in the Action Alert for Organisations to offer to host the Sheikh and his wife for medical treatment. Please contact us first on wajahat@ihrc.org if you are considering this.

Individual Campaigners are requested to write emails / letters to the local Nigerian authorities. Model letters provided below in the Action Alert for Individuals.

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

Note: To enable images in this digest please click on “always show content from this sender” – on top of your email just under sender’s address.

Free Zakzaky!

ACTION ALERT FOR ORGANISATIONS:
Demand immediate release and offer to host Sheikh Zakzaky in your country for medical treatment.

Campaigning Organisations are requested to send follow up letters and demand meeting with local Nigerian Embassy and offer to host Sheikh Zakzaky for urgent medical treatment in your country, using the model letter below.

CLICK HERE for a model letter if your organisation has not written earlier to the local Nigerian High Commission in this regard.

Follow Up 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 you again to bring to your attention a matter of the utmost urgency. In our last communication we have raised concerns about the continued detention of Mu’allim Ibrahim Zakzaky, head of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN). The situation is further deteriorated and in failed attempt to curb continuous Free Zakzaky protests, Nigerian authorities have killed at least 6 peaceful protesters, arrested, tortured and injured hundreds of them in last couple of months.

I am writing again to ask for your urgent intervention to allow illegally detained Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife leave Nigeria for urgent medical treatment due to their critically deteriorating life threatening medical conditions. The Sheikh’s personal doctor confirmed in his most recent report that his only remaining eye is in danger due to chronic glaucoma and recommended him to be taken abroad for urgent treatment by a specialist, this specialist treatment is not available in any of the Nigerian hospitals.

I am extremely concerned as Sheikh Zakzaky suffered a stroke in early January and his condition has further deteriorated due to continued unlawful detention preventing his medical treatment. He was shot severally more than two years ago, losing his left eye in the process and is currently at a great risk of losing the other eye.

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 the court order.

Shaykh Zakzaky’s condition requires specialist medical attention and will need to go abroad to get the necessary treatment. We [Name organization] are 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 over 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,

[Signature if posting]
[NAME]
[ORGANISATION]

————————————–

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

Widespread Free Zakzaky Protests Yesterday, Condemn Fresh Attempts To Kill The Sheikh
04 May 2015

There were widespread Free Zakzaky protests across towns and villages today, Friday 4th May, 2018 as protesters everywhere condemned the renewed attempts by government to kill Sheikh Zakzaky in custody.

Reports from across the states reported that the protests ended peacefully without any incident as the police for once became civilized and allowed citizens their right of peaceful assembly and protest.

Free Zakzaky at National Mosque Abuja on Friday the 4th of May 2018
04 May 2018
Free Zakzaky protests are continued in Nigerian Capital Abuja and a massive rally held at National Mosque on Friday the 4th of May 2018.

Court Summon Illogical as Govt. Failed to Comply With Earlier Court Judgement: Sheikh Zakzaky
04 May 2018 – FreeZakzaky

On Wednesday, 02/05/18 there was a forcible attempt to serve court summon on our Leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, who as you all know is in custody of the DSS illegally for the past almost two and half years in Abuja.

Sheikh Zakzaky declined accepting any court summon, insisting that when he went to court earlier and obtained judgement, the government has not obeyed the judgement. He described as illogical attempts at charging him to court even as the court had ordered for his unconditional release over a year ago, without the government complying with that judgment…

The Islamic Movement takes this odious attempt by the KDSG to arraign our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky on the same charge about 200 are being charge in another court, coming after two and half years with a pinch of salt. As usual, the government has misfired again. The step taken by KDSG is prejudiced, parochial and unconstitutional. This court case makes a mockery of justice and democracy.

My Bleeding Body Was Dragged Over Corpses Of My Sons – Sheikh Zakzaky Gives A Chilling Account
03 May 2018

In a chilling recount of what happened during the Saudi-sponsored Zaria massacre executed by the Nigerian army in December 2015, Sheikh Zakzaky has revealed how his bleeding body was dragged over the corpses of his killed sons.

“We were brutally attacked. They opened fire on us, shot us with guns, killing over a thousand including my sons. I was also shot with my wife,” the Sheikh narrated.

Explaining further, “I was dragged over the corpses of my sons,” Sheikh said. “We were then brought here and detained. Our bodies were sore all over, riddled with bullets,” he said.

He was speaking to the court Registrar who came to issue a court summon to him and his wife, Malama Zeenatudeen in their DSS custody location in Abuja this mid-week.

He declined accepting any court summon, insisting that when he went to court earlier and obtained judgement, the government has not obeyed the judgement.

Sheikh Zakzaky described as illogical attempts at charging him to court even as the court had ordered for his unconditional release over a year ago, without the government complying with that judgment.

Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on Thursday the 3rd of May 2018
03 May 2018
Massive Free Zakzaky protest from Federal Secretariat Abuja, Nigeria held today Thursday the 3rd of May 2018. Thousands of Nigerians asking tyrant Buhari to obey Court order and Free Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife who are illegally detained for more than two years.

Nisf Sha’aban Commemoration and free Zakzaky protest in Abuja
02 May 2018
More Pictures of peaceful Free Zakzaky protest in Abuja on Wednesday the 2nd of May 2018 in Abuja and marking the birth commemoration of Imam Mahdi ( May Allah hasten his reappearance).

Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on Monday
30 April 2018
Massive #FreeZakzaky Protest in Asokoro district, Abuja. Nigeria on Monday the 30th of April 2018. Thousands of protesters calling on Buhari to obey Court order and Free Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife from more than two years illegal detention.

Free Zakzaky Protest in Many Cities and Towns in Northern Nigeria
29 April 2018

Free Zakzaky protests were staged in many areas in Nigeria on Satruday the 28th of April 2018. Areas include Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto etc.
Kano and Sokoto Pictures below: