Nigeria Digest

Nigeria Digest #139

24 July 2021

From: Islamic Human Rights Commission

23 July 2021
Nigeria Digest #139 – Take action and write to the Commonwealth and EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

A critical decision is expected on 28 July in the Zakzaky case.

You can find all the latest actions and information and the background to the campaign, videos and audio at the Free Zakzaky campaign page.

Introduction
Action Alert
Articles
Videos
Archive

Introduction

#FreeZakzaky protests continued in Nigeria. The court hearing to dismiss the case against Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife will resume on 28 July. IHRC requests campaigners to write to the Commonwealth and people in the European Union to write to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to demand immediate release of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife.

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!

Action Alert

IHRC request all campaigners to write to the Commonwealth and people in European Union to write to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Two action alerts are provided below.

Action Alert 1: Write to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
People in European Union, please write to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP) Josep Borrell to demand the Nigerian authorities release Sheikh and Mallima immediately.

Kindly copy the below model message in the “Enquiry box” provided on this link:
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/3020/contact-eeas_en

Model Message

Subject: Urgent – Justice needs to be done in Sheikh Zakzaky and Muallima Zeenah case
Dear Mr Josep Borrell

It is now evident that the Nigerian authorities are intentionally lingering on the unjustified imprisonment of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife. Its been more than five years now, the Sheikh and his wife have been kept in unlawful detention.
A High Court ruling ordering the couple’s release in 2017 has never been implemented. And since they were charged in 2018, the Zakzaky’s trial has been adjourned several times, reinforcing the view that Nigerian authorities are abusing the judicial system to keep them in prison in the hope that they will die quietly in custody. Currently hearing to dismiss the case against them resumes on 28 July, at the Kaduna High Court.
I write to ask your office to make immediate interventions with the Nigerian authorities demanding they desist. Your office must seriously consider what punitive actions you can take unilaterally and part of international organisations. If necessary, to facilitate Nigeria’s compliance with fundamental human rights standards.
I trust you will make immediate representations.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]

Recipient’s Contact Details:
An online enquiry form is provided at this link:
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/3020/contact-eeas_en

Action Alert 2: Write to the Commonwealth

IHRC requests all campaigners to write to the Commonwealth to demand the Nigerian authorities release Sheikh and Mallima immediately and ensure the malicious prosecution of all the members of the Islamic Movement ceases immediately.

Subject: Urgent – Justice needs to be done in Sheikh Zakzaky and Muallima Zeenah case

Dear Baroness Scotland QC,

It is now evident that the Nigerian authorities are intentionally lingering on the unjustified imprisonment of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife. It been more than five years now, the Sheikh and his wife have been kept in unlawful detention.
A High Court ruling ordering the couple’s release in 2017 has never been implemented. And since they were charged in 2018, the Zakzakys’ trial has been adjourned several times, reinforcing the view that Nigerian authorities are abusing the judicial system to keep them in prison in the hope that they will die quietly in custody. Currently hearing to dismiss the case against them resumes on 28 July, at the Kaduna High Court.
I write to ask your office to make immediate interventions with the Nigerian authorities demanding they desist. Your office must seriously consider what punitive actions you can take unilaterally and part of international organisations. If necessary, to facilitate Nigeria’s compliance with fundamental human rights standards.
I trust you will make immediate representations.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]

Commonwealth’s Contact Details:
Email: info@commonwealth.int
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7747 6500
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7930 0827

Articles

Find all the articles selected this week on our website. Here are a selected few.

#Free Zakzay Protest in Abuja, Nigeria
23 July 2021
Weekly #FreeZakzaky rally staged by the Followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, demanding for his immediate and unconditional release from unlawful detention. After Juma’at prayer at Banex area of Wuse II, FCT Abuja.

#Free Zakzaky – Yet Another Eid in Unlawful Detention
20 July 2021
The Sayyid Zakzaky Office wishes Eid Mubarak to all Muslim faithfuls around the world. As the Sheikh continues to languish in prison & his wife with life-threatening wounds without proper medical attention, we call on Muslims and all human rights activists to pray for the Sheikh.

#Free Zakzaky Protest in Nigerian Capital, Abuja
16 July 2021
Weekly #FreeZakzaky protest staged by the unrelenting followers of the Sheikh, demanding for his immediate and unconditional release from unlawful detention. At Fouad Labidi Juma’at mosque, Wuse Zone III; FCT Abuja.

IHRC Press Release: Key decision expected in Zakzaky case
01 July 2021

A ruling is expected on 28 July in the latest bid to throw out the case against the unlawfully imprisoned leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky and his wife, Mallima Zeenah.

Lawyers who appeared in court for the pair today hope it will bring to an end nearly a year of official prevarication and delays. Click here for more details.

IHRC PRESS RELEASE: Nigeria – Calls to Release Zakzaky, Zeenah from Senior Figures and Lawyers worldwide
30 June 2021

Lawyers, Academics, political and civil society figures worldwide continue to call for the Zakzakys release.

Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton, and former UN Special Rapporteur Richard Falk said:

“I call for the immediate release from forced detention of Sheikh El-Zakzaky and Mallima Zeenah, leaders of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. They have been unjustly detained in prison since 2015, interfering with their human rights and the freedom of religion.” Click here for more details.

Videos

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

Massoud Shadjareh on El-Zakzaky return to Nigeria
16 August 2019

Massoud Shadjareh on El-Zakzaky’s return from India, 16 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.