Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 17 March 2019 (Volume 3 Issue 10)
Introduction
Action Alert
Articles
Videos
Archive
INTRODUCTION
Below please find an update on the continuous Free Zakzaky protests. This week once again thousands of protesters rallied in different Nigerian cities to demand immediate release of their leader Sheikh Zakzaky.
Click here to watch the weekly message from IHRC chair Masoud Shadjerah about our fundraising and campaigning for the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.
We request campaigners keep the pressure on the Commonwealth by writing emails/letters, demanding the immediate release of the Sheikh and all those unjustly imprisoned. Please forward any responses you receive to us on wajahat@ihrc.org and keep the pressure up by continuing to send follow-ups. A model letter is provided below in the Action Alert.
To find out more about the Zaria massacre of 2015, 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
Free Zakzaky!
ACTION ALERT:
1. Click here to learn the five things you can do to support the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. You can donate to support the medical expenses of those recently injured by clicking here.
2. Please send an email to the Commonwealth and demand their intervention in this case. A model letter and contact details of the Commonwealth are provided below. Please forward any responses you receive to IHRC at wajahat@ihrc.org.
Model email / letter
If you are emailing, please use the following in the subject line:
Commonwealth’s failure to act on human rights abuses in Nigeria
Your name
Your address
Date
Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5HX
Dear Baroness Scotland QC,
Re: Commonwealth’s failure to act on human rights abuses in Nigeria
Nigeria has been the subject of repeated complaints over its killings of supporters of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria from 2015 onwards and the arrest and prosecution of its leader Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, his wife Zeenah and other members.
In stark contrast to the Commonwealth Secretariat’s robust stand during the tenure of President Abacha years, very little if anything has been said about this issue from your office.
Nigerian authorities are currently trying Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife along with two other members of the Islamic Movement on trumped up charges relating to events surrounding the massacre in December 2015 by the Nigerian military of over 1000 followers of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. This case has only been made after the federal court ruled in late 2016 (a year after their detention) that Sheikh Zakzaky’s detention and that of his wife Zeenah was unlawful and unconstitutional and ordered the government to release them by January 16, 2017 and pay compensation. That order was never implemented and the charges were brought against the couple in 2018.
It is imperative that you apply pressure on the Nigerian authorities so that they stop killing innocent people and adhere to the High Court judgement of December 2016, and release Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife immediately.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Yours sincerely,
[Name]
Commonwealth Contact Details:
Email: info@commonwealth.int
Postal Address: Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7747 6500
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7930 0827
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES
#FreeZakzaky Rally Show Solidarity with Oppressed People of Yemen
15 March 2019
Islamic movement in Nigeria shows solidarity to the oppressed people of Yemen in a #FreeZakzaky rally after Juma’at prayer, at Kano central Juma’at Mosque.
Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on Monday 11th March
11 March 2019
Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on Monday the 11th of March 2019 calling of Nigerian Government to free Sheikh Zakzaky from over three years of illegal detention.
#FreeZakzaky Protest in Abuja on Friday
08 March 2019
Weekly #FreeZakzaky protest staged by followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky after Juma’at prayer at National Mosque, Abuja.
VIDEOS
Appeal to Help Recent Nigeria Massacre Victims
01 November 2018 – IHRC Weekly
The Nigerian authorities have attacked the Islamic Movement of Nigeria leaving dozens dead. They need your help now.
Leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria Remains in Custody Despite Poor Health
22 February 2019 Press tv
Watch a short clip of News Reviews with Arzu Merali of Islamic Human Rights Commission and Abayomi Azikewi, editor Pan African News Wire.
ARCHIVE
Click here to read the letter by IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh to the ICC regarding the preservation of Zaria massacre-evidence. published on 30 November 2017
Click here to read IHRC Press release “ICC cautioned against blaming victims in Nigeria massacre investigation”, published on 06 March 2018
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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom
Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org
Twitter @ihrc
The opinions expressed in this digest do not necessarily reflect the views of IHRC
