Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 10 MARCH 2018 (Volume 2 Issue 12)
Introduction
Action Alert
Articles and Resources Digest
INTRODUCTION
Below please find an update on the continuous daily sit out and regular Free Zakzaky protests in the Nigerian capital Abuja and other cities in the country. In the last two months, protesters have faced bullets and tear gas but still come out daily; the sustainability of #FreeZakzaky campaign is amazing.
We request British campaigners to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), raise your concern about the inaction of the FCO and demand immediate action to end human rights violations by the Nigerian government. Model letter provided in Action Alert 1.
Non-British campaigners are requested to write to the Commonwealth Secretariat, model letter provided in Action Alert 2.
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
Note: To enable images in this digest please click on “always show content from this sender” – on top of your email just under sender’s address.
Free Zakzaky!
ACTION ALERT 1 (BRITISH CAMPAIGNERS): Raise Your Concern About FCO’s Inactive Role and Demand Immediate Action
1.CLICK HERE to send email to FCO, copy and paste the model letter provided below;
2. Please forward any response you receive to IHRC on info@ihrc.org.
Model email / letter
The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AH
10 March 2018
Dear Mr. Johnson,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the continued violations of the human rights of members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), and to raise my concerns about the inaction of the FCO in seeking to end these violations by the Nigerian government. Since the Zaria Massacre and the imprisonment of IMN’s leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky in December 2015, the situation has progressively deteriorated for the movement and its supporters.
I am sure you are aware of the International Criminal Court’s Report on Preliminary Examination Activities (2017). In this report, the ICC stated that they had made a preliminary determination and would seek further clarification of the events from the Nigerian government. This is a clear indication that the ICC believe the massacre may be a crime against humanity.
We understand the FCO is monitoring the situation but this matter has now dragged on for over two years and requires urgent action over and above just monitoring the situation, especially as innocent lives are at risk. Hundreds were arrested following the massacre and remain in prison despite no conviction. Many of those who were present and wounded are still awaiting treatment for injuries as they are being denied access to medical treatment. Nigerian authorities are regularly attacking IMN members and in recent FreeZakzaky protests over the last 2 months they have arrested, tortured, and killed many of the peaceful protesters, including senior movement leader Sheikh Qaseem Umar, who was shot by Nigerian police while peacefully protesting the illegal detention of Sheikh Zakzaky.
Shaykh Zakzaky was arrested by Nigerian military on 14 December 2015 and has been held since, contrary to a clear court order to set him free. Since his arrest, Shaykh Zakzaky has lost his sight in one eye and the use of one arm. Shaykh Zakzaky also suffered a stroke in January 2018 which has further aggravated his dire condition. His condition requires specialist medical attention, and may need him to travel abroad to get treatment.
Due to the seriousness and urgency of the situation I demand that the FCO takes the following action:
- Urge the Commonwealth to suspend Nigeria’s membership for the violence perpetrated by its army against the IMN;
- Send a representative to Nigeria to see Mu’allim Zakzaky, his family and other detainees to assess their situation;
- Demand the release of those held after mass arrests or being handed over to civilian police authorities;
- Demand the Nigerian government provide proper and immediate medical attention to all detainees and that all are released;
- Call for an independent investigation, under the auspices of an international body like the UN, into the violence and mass graves. The bodies of those in the mass graves need to be exhumed, identified and returned to their families. The Nigerian government and army needs to be held accountable for these crimes.
I look forward to hearing from you
Yours Sincerely,
Via email: fcocorrespondence@fco.gov.uk
ACTION ALERT 2 (ALL CAMPAIGNERS): Raise Your Concern About the Commonwealth’s Inactive Role and Demand Immediate Action
1. Use model letter provided below to write to the the Commonwealth Secretary General
2. CLICK HERE for link to the Contact Us page of the Commonwealth
3. Please forward any response you receive to IHRC on info@ihrc.org.
Model email / letter
Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5HX
10 March 2018
Dear Baroness Scotland QC,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the continued violations of the human rights of members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), and to raise my concerns about inaction of the Commonwealth in seeking to end these violations by the Nigerian government. Since the Zaria Massacre and the imprisonment of IMN’s leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky in December 2015 the situation has progressively deteriorated for the movement and its supporters.
I am sure you are aware of the International Criminal Court’s Report on Preliminary Examination Activities (2017). In this report the ICC stated they had made a preliminary determination and would seek further clarification of the events from the Nigerian government. This is a clear indication that the ICC believe the massacre may be a crime against humanity.
We understand the Commonwealth is monitoring the situation but this matter has now dragged on for over two years and requires urgent action over and above just monitoring the situation, especially as innocent lives are at risk. Hundreds were arrested following the massacre and remain in prison despite no conviction. Many of those who were present and wounded are still awaiting treatment for injuries as they are being denied access to medical treatment. Nigerian authorities are regularly attacking IMN members and in recent FreeZakzaky protests over the last two months they have arrested, tortured, and killed many of the peaceful protesters, including senior movement leader Sheikh Qaseem Umar, who was shot by Nigerian police while peacefully protesting the illegal detention of Sheikh Zakzaky.
Shaykh Zakzaky was arrested by Nigerian military on 14 December 2015 and has been held since, contrary to a clear court order to set him free. Since his arrest, Shaykh Zakzaky has lost his sight in one eye and the use of one arm. Shaykh Zakzaky also suffered a stroke in January 2018 which has further aggravated his dire condition. His condition requires specialist medical attention, and may need him to travel abroad to get treatment.
Due to the seriousness and urgency of the situation I demand that the Commonwealth Secretariat takes the following action:
- Suspend Nigeria’s membership of the Commonwealth for the violence perpetrated by its army against the IMN;
- Send a representative to Nigeria to see Mu’allim Zakzaky, his family and other detainees to assess their situation;
- Demand the release of those held after mass arrests or being handed over to civilian police authorities;
- Demand the Nigerian government provide proper and immediate medical attention to all detainees and that all are released;
- Call for an independent investigation, under the auspices of an international body like the UN, into the violence and mass graves. The bodies of those in the mass graves need to be exhumed, identified and returned to their families. The Nigerian government and army needs to be held accountable for these crimes.
I look forward to hearing from you
Yours Sincerely,
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES
Daily Sit Out Continued By Concerned Nigerians
10 March 2018
Daily sit out continued in Abuja organised by Concerned Nigerians and other NGOs. The protesters in daily Sit Out called for the immediate release of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife for medical attention.
Large number of people Men and Women take part in daily sit out with banners and posters in support of Sheikh Zakzaky in Nigerian capital Abuja.
Sheikh Zakzaky’s Daughter Set To Feature In World Women Day Celebration In Turkey
10 March 2018
The daughter of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Nusaiba Ibrahim Zakzaky, has arrived Istanbul to attend the “World Muslim Women’s Day” activities scheduled to take place tomorrow, Sunday 11th March, 2018.
The event is part of activities marking the auspicious occasion of the birthday of Sayyedah Fatima (AS), the leader of all the women of the World ever, which this year coincided with the International Women’s Day marked worldwide on March 8.
Three Summarily Sentenced In Zaria Granted Bail On Appeal
10 March 2018
The three members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria who were summarily sentenced to 9 years each by a Chief magistrate court for protesting the continued detention of Sheikh Zakzaky in contempt of a court judgement, were released on bail following an appeal.
The trio were shockingly arrested after they joined a Free Zakzaky protest in Zaria, and within 24 hours of arrest were arraigned before a magistrate court and sentenced to nine years each.
They were granted bail by the state High Court Zaria, where the appeal against the judgement by the magistrate court was filed. No date has been fixed for hearing of the appeal yet.
Another Massive FreeZakzaky Protest in Abuja on 7 March 2018
07 March 2018
Thousands of Men and Women came out for another massive #FreeZakzaky protest in capital Abuja on Wednesday 07 March 2018.
Youth arranged Another Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on 6th March
06 March 2018
Free Zakzaky protest in Abuja on Tuesday the 6th of March 2018. The protest started from Wuse Market and ended at Berger. Thousands of people took part in the peaceful protest.
Youth Arranged Free Zakzaky in Abuja on 5th of March 2018
05 March 2018
Free Sheikh Zakzaky Protest in Abuja the Federal Capital on Monday the 5th of March 2018 by youths.
Israel spearheaded the American strategy in Africa: experts from the Jewish state train the Nigerian Army
05 March 2018 – Raialyoum (Arab news)
Israel is acting officially, sometimes openly and sometimes clandestinely, to enhance its security, military, political and economic influence on the continent, in light of the decline of Arab influence in Africa. In addition, Israeli private companies in the field of security and the army are also operating in African countries To qualify the armies and the police to combat what the sources in Tel Aviv call terrorism.
According to the Israel Defence website, a senior security source in Tel Aviv reported that about 150 members of the Nigerian Air Force had undergone training courses
Magistrate Court Zaria Summarily Sentences 3 To Nine Years Each For Protesting
04 March 2018
Three members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria were summarily tried by a Chief Magistrate Court, Zaria and sentenced to nine years imprisonment each for participating in a procession.
Kasim Mohammed, a 31-year handset repairer, Bello Shehu, a 27-year builder and Ahmed Suleiman, a 26-year driver were arrested on 27th of February, 2018 soon after a free Zakzaky procession in Zaria city and were charged and sentenced the following day, all within a total of 24 hours.
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