Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 16 February 2019 (Volume 3 Issue 06)
Introduction
Action Alert
Articles
Videos
Archive
INTRODUCTION
Below please find an update on the continuous Free Zakzaky protests. This week demonstrators protested a potential government plot to assassinate Sheikh Zakzaky in detention during this year’s Nigerian elections.
Click here to watch the weekly message from IHRC chair Masoud Shadjerah about our fundraising and campaigning for the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.
We request campaigners keep the pressure on the Commonwealth by writing emails/letters, demanding the immediate release of the Sheikh and all those unjustly imprisoned. Please forward any responses you receive to us and keep the pressure up by continuing to send follow-ups. A model letter is provided below in the Action Alert.
To find out more about the Zaria massacre of 2015, 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
Free Zakzaky!
ACTION ALERT:
1. CLICK HERE to learn the five things you can do to support the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. You can donate to support the medical expenses of those recently injured by clicking here.
2. CLICK HERE to send an email to the Commonwealth and demand their intervention in this case. A model letter and contact details of the Commonwealth are provided below. Please forward any responses you receive to IHRC at wajahat@ihrc.org.
Model email / letter
If you are emailing, please use the following in the subject line:
Three Years of Unlawful Detention of Sheikh Zakzaky
Your name
Your address
Date
Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5HX
Dear Baroness Scotland QC,
Re: Over Three Years of Unlawful Detention of Sheikh Zakzaky
I am writing to ask for your urgent intervention and to apply pressure on the Nigerian authorities to immediately release the unlawfully detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Zeenah. They have been held in illegal detention for over 3 years. You are doubtless aware of the details of his case.
On 02 December 2016, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Sheikh Zakzaky and Muallimah Zeenah should be released within 45 days. The court described their detention, which began in December 2015 as illegal and unconstitutional. The deadline for the court order expired on 16 January 2017 but the Nigerian Government has refused to obey the court order. The Nigerian government has kept them detained illegally for over three years now and Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife still remain in the custody of the state, in clear contempt of the court order.
The Commonwealth’s silence on this issue is putting more innocent lives at risk. Recently Nigerian authorities have killed over 60 peaceful FreeZakzaky protesters, and arrested, tortured, and injured hundreds of them with live bullets in a barbaric attack on ArbaeenTrek 2018.
I am writing to ask for your urgent intervention to allow the illegally detained Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife to leave Nigeria for urgent medical treatment due to their critically deteriorating, life-threatening medical conditions. The Sheikh’s personal doctor confirmed in his most recent report that his only remaining eye is in danger due to chronic glaucoma and recommended him to be taken abroad for urgent treatment by a specialist, as this is not available in any Nigerian hospital.
It is imperative that you apply pressure on the Nigerian authorities so that they stop killing innocent people and adhere to the High Court judgement of December 2016, and release Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife immediately.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Yours sincerely,
[Name]
Commonwealth Contact Details:
Email: info@commonwealth.int; geneva@commonwealth.int
Postal Address: Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7747 6500
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7930 0827
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES
#FreeZakzaky Protest in Abuja on Friday
15 February 2019
Weekly #FreeZakzaky protest staged after Juma’at prayer at National Mosque Abuja, Nigeria. In renewed call for immediate release of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.
Vision FM Must Desist From Continued Hate Campaign Against The Islamic Movement In Nigeria
15 February 2019
We have observed series of hate campaigns against the Islamic Movement in Nigeria being aired by an Abuja-based FM radio station, Vision FM, in collaboration with some FM radio stations in some selected states. This has gone on in the past week under the guise of airing a documentary by some so-called Shia scholars.
The apparent sole purpose of the documentary is to label the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and its leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, as terrorists who are not true Muslims. Such mischievous hate campaigns are potentially inciting, capable of instigating a large section of the public to carry out mass attacks and genocide against members of the Movement in the aftermath of the upcoming general elections.
Click here to read the full report.
Free Zakzaky in Abuja on 14th February 2019
14 February 2019
Free Zakzaky Protest in Area 1 Garki Abuja calling for the unconditional release of Sheikh Zakzaky. Protesters warned that, should there be any attack on the leader and other followers as planned by the administration of Buhari during this week’s election, the National Security Adviser, NSA, the person of Mr. Mohammed Babagana Mongono and his principal would be held responsible.
#FreeZakzaky Protest in Abuja on Tuesday
12 February 2019
Daily #FreeZakzaky protest staged by followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, condemning possible attempts by @AsoRock to assassinate the Sheikh during election.
#FreeZakzaky Protest on Monday
11 February 2019
Daily #FreeZakzaky protest at @NhrcTweets condemning recent attempts by @AsoRock to assassinate Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky during the forthcoming elections.
VIDEOS
Appeal to Help Recent Nigeria Massacre Victims
01 November 2018
The Nigerian authorities have attacked the Islamic Movement of Nigeria leaving dozens dead. They need your help now.
Nigerian Army Attack ArbaeenTrek 2016
Published on 15 November 2016
The Nigerian state launched a bloody crackdown on the ArbaeenTrek 2016. The procession was one of many strands from all over the country making their way to Zaria where they join the main procession which in previous years has been attended by several million people. Tear gas was also fired at the marchers by soldiers who blocked the road seeking to stop the procession from proceeding to its destination. Eye-witnesses reported that the procession was set upon by soldiers at three different locations.
ARCHIVE
October 2002: IHRC Report on “Human Rights Violations in Nigeria: April 1997 – September 1998” (Addendum) published in October 2002. Click here to read the details.
April 1998: Zeenah Ibrahim, wife of Mu’allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky and six of her children aged between 17 months and 11 years of age were charged with inciting hatred of Nigerian government and insulting President of the military junta, Click Here to read the details.
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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
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HA9 7XH
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Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Email: info@ihrc.org
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The opinions expressed in this digest do not necessarily reflect the views of IHRC
