Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 24 MARCH 2018 (Volume 2 Issue 14)
Introduction
Action Alert
Articles and Resources Digest
INTRODUCTION
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 1: Urgent Medical Treatment For Sheikh Zakzaky
1) UK based campaigners CLICK HERE to send an email to the Nigerian High Commissioner in London
2) Campaigners outside the UK please use the model letter below and find the name, address and contact details of the Nigerian Ambassador / High Commissioner in your country here: https://www.embassypages.com/nigeria
URGENT MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR SHEIKH ZAKZAKY
[Insert name / address of
Person you are sending this to]
Dear [insert name],
I write to demand that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Muallima Zeenah are immediately allowed to leave the country for urgent medical treatment due to their critically deteriorating medical conditions.
The Federal Government will be held directly responsible if anything happen to the Sheikh or his wife. In December 2016 court ordered the Zakzakys’ release saying it was illegal and unconstitutional but the Government continues to stubbornly defy the order.
Sheikh Zakzaky remains in the Government custody, held without charge, along with his wife Zeenah since being detained over two years ago during a savage assault on his movement’s supporters by the armed forces.
Sheikh Zakzaky suffered stroke early January and his condition is further deteriorated in last few days. He was shot severally more than two years ago, losing his left eye in the process and is currently at a great risk of losing the other eye except something drastic is done, aggravating an already poor state of health and prompting supporters to ask that he be freed from detention to receive 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
ACTION ALERT 2: Raise Your Concern About the Commonwealth’s Inactive Role and Demand Immediate Action
1. CLICK HERE to send an email to Commonwealth or use model letter provided below to send it by Post
2. 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
24 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
PRESS STATEMENT: Government Toys With Sheikh Zakzaky’s Health As He Fast Deteriorates In Custody
24 March 2018 – President Media Forum of Islamic Movement
In the last couple of days, news of a further deterioration of the health situation of our Leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, has filtered through and the government is denying him the necessary urgent medical attention.
The Sheikh, who was shot severally more than two years ago, losing his left eye in the process, is at a great risk of losing the other eye except something drastic is done. He further suffered a mild stroke in January this year, consequent on the stress and psychological trauma he has had to face, associated with his poor physical condition in the illegal detention and the lack of adequate care. He has not fully recovered from that ever since. The lackadaisical attitude of the government is simply unacceptable.
This disturbing situation has not made the government concede to at least obey the court judgement of more than a year ago, which declared him innocent.
It was the heinous action of agents of the government that put him in this dire condition in the first place. It is also the agents of the present administration that have continued to defy justice and reason by continuing to hold him in very stringent and inimical condition. The same can be said of his wife, who is similarly faced with very serious health challenges of her own.
Let it be clearly known therefore that, the Federal Government will be held directly responsible should anything happen to the Sheikh or his wife while in their custody. This government must be told some doses of the stark truth.
While calling on the government to live up to its responsibilities of acting by the rule of law, we seize the opportunity to call for a more concerted efforts by human rights activists, organisations, the international community and the general public to see that the Sheikh and his wife regain their freedom.
Daily #FreeZakzaky Sit Outs Continue in Abuja
23 March 2018
Daily #FreeZakzaky Sit Outs are continued in Nigerian Capital Abuja. Large number of protesters join these Sit Outs every day, organised by Concerned Nigerians and other campaign groups. The protesters demand immediate release of illegally detaineded Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife. 19 March was 40th day since the martyrdom of Sheikh Qaseem Umar and special prayers were held in Sit Out.
Fundamental Rights: FHC Abuja Adjourns Case
23 March 2018
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has yet again adjourned the case seeking the enforcement of the Fundamental rights of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria to 23rd May, 2018.
The case had come up for mention on Thursday March 22, but one of the respondents in the case, the Attorney General of Federation (AGF) had filed an application to file out of time, and present a counter affidavit.
Concerned Nigerians, Others Plan “Say No To Impunity” Protest In Abuja
23 March 2018
A coalition of groups, including Concerned Nigerians, Our Mumu Don’t Do, Campaign For Democracy and Foundation for True Freedom and Good Leadership among many others, has requested other Nigerians to join them in their campaign to “say no to impunity” by their plan to #OccupyPoliceHeadquarters next week Monday, the 26th of March, 2018.
This is in protest over refusal to obey several Court Orders, chiefly those on Peace Corps of Nigeria and also raise issues on refusal of the Federal Government to obey Court orders over Sheik Zakzaky and his wife.
Abuja Court Dismisses Case Against Six For Participating in Free Zakzaky Procession
22 March 2018
The case against Yunusa Abdullahi and five others brought against them by the FCT Police Commissioner for participating in a peaceful Free Zakzaky procession in Abuja has been dismissed.
The dismissal followed the failure of the prosecution to appear in the matter for two successive court sittings. The judge therefore struck out the case for what it called “lack of diligent prosecution,” invoking section 351 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The six members set free included a Christian faithful, John Kluvert and four sympathizers of the Islamic Movement who were arrested since the 14th of February, 2018 following participation in a peaceful Free Zakzaky procession in Abuja
Series Of Law Cases Involving Islamic Movement Comes Up In Abuja And Kaduna
22 March 2018
Starting from today Wednesday, 21st March, 2018 the Islamic Movement in Nigeria will be involved in a series of court cases at the Federal High Courts in Abuja and Kaduna as well as the Kaduna state high court.
This morning at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the case seeking the enforcement of the fundamental rights of members of the Islamic Movement comes up for hearing.
The case is challenging the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the FCT Police Commissioner and the Director of DSS for the incessant violation of the rights of members of the Movement in the Federal Capital City, Abuja…
Tribute to Mahmoud Zakzaky, Martyred by Nigerian Army
20 March 2018
Today 20th March is the birthday of Mahmoud Zakzaky, Brothers and sisters visited their graves for prayers and recitations of the Holy Qur’an. Mahmoud was killed by the Nigerian Army after a peaceful Pro Palestine Quds Day protest in July 2014, when Army killed over 35 Islamic Movement members including 3 sons of the movement leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.
Mahmoud, 19, was the sixth child of Sheikh Zakzaky and Malama Zeenatudeen and the third that was allegedly killed by soldiers. He was born in 1995 in Zaria and had his primary and post-primary education there before proceeding to Al-Mustapha International University in Beirut, Lebanon, where he was studying until his death. He came back to Nigeria at the beginning of Ramadan for vacation and was shot by soldiers at the end of a pro-Palestinian peaceful procession held in Zaria.
Regular Massive FreeZakzaky protests continue in Abuja
19 March 2018
Today yet another massive #FreeZakzaky protest was arranged in Nigerian Capital Abuja. Thousands of peaceful protests marched in Nigerian Capital to demand immediate release of leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and justice for the innocent victims killed by the Police and Nigerian Army. Protesters were also holding placards of Sheikh Qaseem Umar, a senior movement leader killed by the police during a peaceful protest in Abuja last month. Sustainability of these protests is amazing especially when Nigerian Authorities used brutal force, tortured, killed and charged peaceful protesters in last 2 months but yet the number of protesters are increasing in Abuja to demand release of their illegally detained leader. Click on following link to watch a short clip of the protest;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beV265mcazY&feature=youtu.be
Fortieth Day of the Martyrdom of Shaikh Qasim Umar Shot by Police in FreeZakzaky Protest
19 March 2018
Martyr Shaikh Qasim Umar Sakwato was shot by Police in a peaceful FreeZakzaky Protest in January 2018. He is a symbol of sacrifice and resistance against oppression
It is believed that sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something one considers to have more value than himself. “But do not think of those that have been slain in God’s cause a dead. Nay, they are alive! With their Sustainer have they their sustenance…” (Q3:169)
“They rejoice in the glad tiding of God’s blessings and bounty, and (in the promise) that God will not fail to requite the believers,…” (Q3:171).
Unfortunately, the police that are suppose to protect people from harm shot Shaikh Qasim Umar and eventually resulted into his martyrdom after been hospitalized for some weeks.
The Killing of Shaikh Qasim Umar,a pious and God fearing follower of Shaikh Zakzaky has further exposed the agenda of the devilish politicians ruling Nigeria. This will only increase the gravity of the Free Zakzaky protest. Standing againts a tyrant is an obligation.
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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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