From: Islamic Human Rights Commission
29 March 2020
Nigeria Digest #113 (Volume 3 Issue 45) – Take Action: Write to the Nigerian ambassador and copy in the UN Working Group on Arbitrary
IHRC urged Buhari to release Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky and his wife Mallima Zeenah in the face of Covid-19 crisis
You can find all the latest actions and information, as well as background to the campaign, information, videos, audio, and details on the Sheikh on the Free Zakzaky campaign page. The Nigeria Digest is a weekly summary of the campaign to #FreeZakzaky and all who are illegally detained, focusing on the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.
Introduction
Action Alert
Articles
Videos
Archive
INTRODUCTION
During this week protesters in protective masks continued #FreeZakzaky protests. They were concerned regarding the continued detention of Sheikh Zakzaky In Kaduna Prison amidst Coronavirus Pandemic. IHRC demanded again that Buhari to release Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky and his wife Mallima Zeenah.
Please help support those injured by police brutality, and the families of those killed by the security services, by donating to the IHRC Trust Nigeria Fund here.
Above all, please remember all the oppressed in your dua.
#FreeZakzaky!
IHRC are calling upon campaigners to write to their country’s Nigerian ambassador / High Commissioner and copy in the UN Working Group on Arbitrary urging them to demand the Nigerian authorities to release the imprisoned Sheikh, his wife, members of the Islamic Movement and as far as possible all relevant prisoners.
Model email
Dear [Insert Ambassador / High Commissioner’s name],
in the past few weeks we have seen a number of governments release prisoners from their detention amidst the corona pandemic. I am writing to you to urge your government to release Sheikh Ibraheem el-Zakzaky, his wife Muallima Zeenah and other members of the Islamic Movement Nigeria and as far as possible all relevant prisoners.
This is a policy that needs to be implemented quickly in Nigeria not just for the Sheikh and his wife, who both have underlying health conditions, for all prisoners wherever possible for the sake of justice in these cases but also the sake of Nigerian society as a whole.
[Signed if posting]
[Your name]
Recipient Addresses
Please remember to also cc/ in Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:wgad@ohchr.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
Selected names and email addresses of Ambassadors / High Commissioners can be found below. Please contact us info@ihrc.org if you have trouble finding the details of your country.
UK: Mr Olukunle A. Bamgbose, Acting High Commissioner, information@nigeriahc.org.uk, chancery@nigeriahc.org
France: Mr Hakeem O. Sulaiman , Ambassador, embassy@nigeriafrance.com
Malaysia: Nurudeen Muhammed , Chargé d’Affaires, info@nigeria.org.my/ nigeriankl@yahoo.com
Turkey: Mr Ahmed Abdulhamid, Ambassador, embassynigeriaturkey@gmail.com
Iran: Mr Hamzat Ibrahim, Ambassador, ngrembtehran@yahoo.com/info@nigeriaembassyiran.com
India: Mr Sola Enikanolaye , High Commisioner, nigeria.new-delhi@foreignaffairs.gov.ng
nhcnder@vsnl.in
Sweden: Mrs Jane Ada Ndem, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.info@nigerianembassy.nu
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES
Buhari urged to release Zakzakys in face of Covid-19 crisis
26/03/2020
IHRC has written to the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to free Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky and his wife Mallima Zeenah in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis that is engulfing the world.
The pair continue to be held despite the 2016 federal high court ruling that their detention is unlawful and unconstitutional. To this date the Nigerian authorities have failed to implement the court order to release them by January 16, 2017 and pay compensation. Instead, perversely, the state authorities in Kaduna decided in 2018 to prosecute the couple. Click here to read the details.
Letter to President Buhari seeking release of Zakzakys
26/03/2020
IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh written a letter to president Buhari urging him to release Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky and his wife Mallima Zeenah in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis.
Letter states that, In view of the Covid-19 emergency and the fact that the Zakzakys have spent over four years in custody without any court proving any of the charges levelled against them, we urge you to review their detention as a matter of urgency.
Continuing to keep the couple in detention at a time when the risks to them are hugely magnified would be an act of wilful negligence, the potential consequences of which will ultimately fall at your feet. Click here to read further details.
#Free Zakzaky Campaign Along Major Street in Abuja
25 March 2020
Followers of Sheikh Zakzaky in protective masks continued #FreeZakzaky protests. #FreeZakzaky protesters were also carrying posters to raise awareness on Corona (Covid-19).
They called on Buhari regime to free the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky for illegal detention. Click here for the pictures.
VIDEOS
Massoud Shadjareh on El-Zakzaky return to Nigeria
Published on 15 August 2019
Massoud Shadjareh on El-Zakzaky return to Nigeria, from Delhi, India 18:30 BST, 15 August 2019
An Appeal for Victims of Violence in Nigeria
Published on 27 May 2019
The Nigerian authorities have attacked the Islamic Movement of Nigeria leaving dozens dead. They need your help now. Support medical costs for those injured in police and army violence against the Islamic Movement. Support the families of those killed.
ARCHIVES
Click here to read the IHRC report on Nigeria published on 10 June 1997 “REPORT ON NIGERIA EXPOSES NEW HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AGAINST MUSLIMS”
Click here to read Arzu Merali’s blog published on 22 February 2019 “Zakzaky is not Thomas Becket; Buhari be warned”
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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
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Twitter @ihrc
The opinions expressed in this digest do not necessarily reflect the views of IHRC
