Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 17 FEBRUARY 2018 (Volume 2 Issue 9)
Introduction
Action Alert
Articles and Resources Digest
INTRODUCTION
Below please find an update on daily sit out and protests by coalition groups in Abuja and update on ICC preliminary investigation to prosecute Nigerian officials involved in the December 2015 massacre of the members of Islamic Movements of Nigeria.
IHRC has sent a letter to the Nigerian High Commissioner in London and offered to host Sheikh Zakzaky for medical treatment in the UK. We request campaigners to encourage campaigning organisations to do the same and continue with the action alert over the last four weeks. Other organisations in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Turkey are sending similar letters to the Nigerian Embassy / High Commission in their countries. Individual campaigners please keep on praying for the Sheikh, his wife, and all detainees, and demand their immediate release. Two model letters are provided in the action alert – one for organisations and one for individual campaigners. Please forward replies received to us.
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
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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 demand meeting with local Nigerian Embassy and offer to host Sheikh Zakzaky for urgent medical treatment in your country, using the model letter below.
Please share following action alert link with your contacts to encourage more people demand freedom for Sheikh Zakzaky: https://www.ihrc.org.uk/activities/alerts/12035-urgent-alert-nigeria-demand-urgent-medical-treatment-for-sheikh-zakzaky
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 to you to raise our concerns about the continued detention of Mu’allim Ibrahim Zakzaky, head of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).
I am sure you are aware that Shaykh Zakzaky’s house was demolished and he was injured and arrested by the Nigerian military on 14 December 2015, and has been held since without any charges or a trial. Shaykh Zakzaky, whose health has rapidly deteriorated, is in need of special medical attention. Since his arrest, Shaykh Zakzaky has lost his sight in one eye and the use of one arm. Shaykh Zakzaky also suffered a stroke earlier this year which has further aggravated his dire condition.
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 court order.
Shaykh Zakzaky’s condition requires specialist medical attention and will need to go abroad to get the necessary treatment. We Name organization is 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 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,
NAME
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
Daily Sit Out by Coalition of Groups continues in Abuja
16 February 2018
Daily Sit out by concerned Nigerians continued in Abuja at Unity Fountain. Since the start of sit out on 17 January 2018 a large turn out is attending it every day, including campaigners from human rights groups, people of conscience, activists, friends and sympathisers of the Islamic Movement.
Huge Free Zakzaky Procession Rocks Abuja City Centre
14 February 2018
A very huge procession was again carried out in the center of Abuja to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the leader of the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, who is being detained despite a favourable court judgement.
The procession followed the daily sit out by the concerned Nigerians at the Unity Fountain, and had in attendance both Muslims and Christians.
Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), pro-democracy group and Concerned Nigerians took part in the protest, holding placards and banners reading, “Free Zakzaky.”
Deji Adeyanju, with Concerned Nigerians, said, “What is happening to the leader and the members of the Islamic Movement is completely injustice. A situation where they kill…. continuously kill their members you know… and continuously detain their leader is uncalled for. It is against the norm of justice and equity.”
“As sane Nigerians, as responsible Nigerians, we must as a matter of fact condemn it, which is exactly what we are doing. We are asking the government to do what is right,” Adeyanju said…
Police Yet Again Use Tear Gas To Disperse Peaceful Protesters
13 February 2018
There was another peaceful #FreeZakzaky protest in Abuja on Tuesday the 13th of Feb 2018. The protesters marched towards the headquarters of the National Human Right Commission. The Nigerian Police has yet again resumed shooting of tear gas to disperse a completely peaceful free Zakzaky procession that was held today in the capital city, Abuja. Protesters were attacked by joint security forces and there are reports of 4 brothers and 1 sister being arrested, beaten and then released by the police.
Click Here to watch clip, nigerian police tear gas FreeZakzaky protesters
Twin Free Zakzaky Procession Held In Kaduna And Zaria
13 February 2018
Today on 13 February 2018, Kaduna State hosted twin peaceful Free Zakzaky procession in Kaduna metropolis and Zaria town.
The Rising Profile Of Zakzaky Influence In Igbo communities – Eziokwu bu ndu
12 February 2018
There is no question about it that the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has the potential of being the only true Champion and pillar of unity across divides in Nigeria.
Sheikh Zakzaky has consistently shown the way in bridging tribal and sectional divides irrespective of religious differences, which has been the chief factor that endears him to so many from different cultural and tribal background from him. There have been reports of ‘Free Zakzaky’ protests held by Christians and Muslims in Abia and Rivers States. On 15/2/2016…
ICC Concludes Preliminary Investigation Of Zaria Massacre
11 February 2018
The International Criminal Court is moving gradually towards prosecution of Nigerian officials involved in the December 2015 massacre of members of Islamic Movements of Nigeria.
The office of the prosecutor at the war crimes tribunal reached its preliminary conclusion into the killings in December 2015, submitted its findings to the Nigerian government and demanded explanations about the incident.
The ICC said the attack on IMN members, which was carried out by the Nigerian Army and condemned by human rights voices across the world, violated international statutes on human rights…
We Are Protesting To Enlighten The Public On The Injustice Done To Sheikh Zakzaky; We Are Not Free Without His Freedom
16 February 2018 – S. I. Ahmad
The followers of Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), Leader of the Islamic movement wish to inform the residents of Abuja and the public that the aim of our continuous peaceful protest in Abuja and other cities for more than two years, is to draw the attention of the public on the brutal murder of over one thousand Nigerians in Zaria.
The killing of six sons of Shaikh Zakzaky,burning his sister to death and shooting him and his wife is a great amount of injustice that verbal condemnation will not be enough. Perpetrators of the Zaria massacre are known, they must be brought to book.
Upon all the brutality against Shaikh Zakzaky and his supporters, this administration of Muhammadu Buhari went ahead and detained him with his wife illegally without proper medication.
The rain of bullets that was sent to their bodies from the guns of the Nigerian Army has made their health to be in danger for more than two years.
The attack led by the Nigerian Army against Shaikh Zakzaky in December, 2015 is rated among the greatest crime committed against human beigns in the history of mankind.
Despite the ruling of the Federal High Court that Shaikh Zakzaky should be freed and compensated in December 2016, the lawless government refused to respect and obey the laws that constituted them as authorites.
We are not free without the freedom of Shaikh Zakzaky…
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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
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