From: Islamic Human Rights Commission
04 November 2020

Nigeria Digest #133 (Volume 4 issue 4) – Take Action and write to your country’s Nigerian ambassador and copy in the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

Mohammed Zakzaky denied rumors about Sheikh Zakzaky’s health and described these rumors as an attempt to disturb peace. Followers of Sheikh Zakzaky celebrated birth of holy Prophet during this week, #FreeZakzaky protests continued whereas in last few weeks nationwide massive protests against the police brutality gained momentum in Nigeria.

You can find all the latest actions and information, as well as the background to the campaign and information, videos and audio and details on the Sheikh on the Free Zakzaky campaign page.

Introduction
Action Alert
Articles
Videos
Archive

Introduction
We are urging campaigners to write to their country’s Nigerian ambassador and copy in the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. During last week son of Sheikh Zakzaky, Mohammed Ibraheem Zakzaky denied rumors about his father’s health and described these rumors as an attempt to disturb peace and sow chaos in the country. #FreeZakzaky protests continued whereas during last two weeks, nationwide protests against the police brutality gained momentum in Nigeria. Initially youth started these protests to abolish brutal SARS police unit but soon Nigerians around the world joined this call against the police brutality.

Please help to support the urgent medical costs of those injured, and the families of those affected by the ongoing violence, by donating to the IHRC Trust Nigeria Fund here. 

Above all, please remember all the oppressed in your prayers
#FreeZakzaky!

Action Alert 

IHRC are calling upon campaigners to write to their country’s Nigerian ambassador / High Commissioner and copy in the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, demanding the Nigerian authorities order the immediate release of Sheikh Zakzaky and other political prisoners immediately. A model letter is provided. Please forward any responses you receive to IHRC at wajahat@ihrc.org

Model email
Re: Denial of Amnesty for Sheikh Zakzaky Unacceptable

Dear [Insert Ambassador / High Commissioner’s name],
I am shocked to find out that the Nigerian President’s amnesty on 9 April to 2500 prisoners did not include Sheikh Zakzaky and Muallima Zeenah, and indeed other political prisoners. The Sheikh and his wife are both aged over 60 and are suffering from severe health conditions. Last week, an academic forum of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria raised concerns about the further deteriorating health condition of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife, based on the new information.
Sheikh Zakzaky and Muallima Zeenah continue to be held in illegal detention despite a 2016 Federal High Court ruling that their detention is unlawful and unconstitutional. I urge your government to release Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, his wife Muallima Zeenah and other political prisoners immediately. Their continued illegal detention in Kaduna State prison poses a high risk to their health, especially in the current COVID19 outbreak.
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, but for all political prisoners wherever possible for the sake of justice and also the sake of Nigerian society as a whole.[Your name]

Recipient Addresses

Click on the 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.

Please remember to also cc/ in Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: wgad@ohchr.org

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 Commissioner, nigeria.new-delhi@foreignaffairs.gov.ng
nhcnder@vsnl.in 
 
Sweden: Mrs Jane Ada Ndem, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.info@nigerianembassy.nu

Note: Due to the COVID19 outbreak, we do not advise sending letters by post

Articles

Eid Maulid Procession in Kano and Beginning of Unity Week Programme
30 October 2020
The 12th-17th of Rabiul Auwal in the Islamic calendar is marked with various activities to celebrate the birthday of the Noble Prophet, Muhammad bin Abdullah (SAWA) worldwide. The leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatullah Ruhullah Khomenei (QS) called the week as “Unity week” in which all Muslims, irrespective of School of Thought, are called toward unity. Click here for details on maulid programs organized by followers of Sheikh Zakzaky.

Update on My Father’s Health- Mohammed Ibraheem Zakzaky
25 October 2020
This morning, I began to receive calls from concerned people, about a rumour currently circulating that my father is either critically ill or worse. Because of this I contacted the prison authorities and they allowed us to go and see them. In fact I just left less than an hour ago. While my father dose indeed suffer from a number of potentially life threatening health challenges due to his injuries and his imprisonment, none of that is new. The rumors are simply just rumors. Click here for details.

Daily #FreeZakzaky Protest in Wusu, Abuja
26 October 2020
Days after unfounded rumour on Sheikh Zakzaky’s health condition, his followers staged their daily #FreeZakzaky protest in Wuse area of Abuja, Nigerian Capital City; demanding for his immediate and unconditional release from unlawful detention.

Processions Marking Maulid Celebration on Saturday the 24th Oct
24 October 2020
Followers of Sheikh Zakzaky arranged procession marking the Month of Rabiul Auwal, the birth month of the holy Prophet Muhammad Peace and blessing of Allah of be upon him and his family. 

Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on 21 Oct 2020
21 October 2020
Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on Wednesday the 21st of October 2020 calling for the freedom of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife from detention for nearly for five years despite serious health condition.

Videos

Find more videos from recent weeks as well as the archives on the Free Zakzaky audio and video page.
Find a selection below.