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Nigeria Digest #82

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Nigeria Digest #82

5 May 2019

Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 05 MAY 2019 (Volume 3 Issue 14)

Introduction
Action Alert
Articles
Videos
Archive

INTRODUCTION

Below please find the last week’s update on the Free Zakzaky campaign. During this week the preliminary report of the IHRC led foreign medical expert team triggered massive #FreeZakzaky protests across the Nigeria demanding immediate further assessment and the treatment of the Sheikh and his wife.

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 on wajahat@ihrc.org 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. Please 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:
Commonwealth’s failure to act on human rights abuses in Nigeria

Your name
Your address
Date

Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5HX

Dear Baroness Scotland QC,

Re: Commonwealth’s failure to act on human rights abuses in Nigeria

Nigeria has been the subject of repeated complaints over its killings of supporters of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria from 2015 onwards and the arrest and prosecution of its leader Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, his wife Zeenah and other members.

In stark contrast to the Commonwealth Secretariat’s robust stand during the tenure of President Abacha years, very little if anything has been said about this issue from your office.

Nigerian authorities are currently trying Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife along with two other members of the Islamic Movement on trumped up charges relating to events surrounding the massacre in December 2015 by the Nigerian military of over 1000 followers of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. This case has only been made after the federal court ruled in late 2016 (a year after their detention) that Sheikh Zakzaky’s detention and that of his wife Zeenah was unlawful and unconstitutional and ordered the government to release them by January 16, 2017 and pay compensation. That order was never implemented and the charges were brought against the couple in 2018.
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
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

Phenomenal Free Zakzaky Protests Reap Across Northern Nigerian Cities
03 May 2019

Hundreds of thousands of members and sympathizers of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria today took to the streets of major Northern Nigerian towns and cities to protest the continued illegal detention of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, whom foreign medical experts recently said he still suffers significant health challenges and should be sent for further treatment abroad.

The peaceful protests were conducted in virtually every northern state capital, including but not limited to Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Yola and Jalingo.

Following are few pictures taken from across the States, please Click Here for more images;

#FreeZakzaky Protest in Nigerian Capital Abuja on Friday 03 May
03 May 2019
#FreeZakzaky Protests continued in different Nigerian cities and a massive protest was staged by followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, after Juma’at prayer at National Mosque, Abuja. Protesters demanded Buhari Govt to immediately release Sheikh Zakzaky to attend to his medical condition. A team of foreign medical experts recently concluded that the ailing Sheikh would require further proper medical attention at a well-equipped center abroad.

#FreeZakzaky Protest in Matima District Abuja
02 May 2019

Followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky staged a massive #FreeZakzaky protest at Maitama District of Federal Capital territory, Abuja on 02 May 2019, Calling for the immediate release of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Malama Zeenah.

Medical team issues initial assessment of Sheikh Zakzaky
30 April 2019

An IHRC-led medical team that flew to Nigeria in order to examine the illegally detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, has returned an initial assessment on his health. A full report will be published in due course.

Three doctors from India and one from Tanzania said that in the limited time they were allowed to see the beleaguered sheikh, they ascertained that his injuries warranted further investigation and urgent treatment that could only be accessed outside Nigeria.

Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky lost sight in one eye and the use of one arm after receiving four gunshot injuries during the December 2015 massacre by the Nigerian military of over 1000 followers of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. His wife Mallimah Zeenah also sustained gunshot wounds in the attack.

Massive Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on Mon 29th April ’19
29 April 2019

The daily massive protests demanding immediate and unconditional release of leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky have today kicked off from Wuse Market, Abuja, the capital territory.

The protest marched chanting slogans by the protesters, demanding the freedom of the innocent leader, his wife and several others in illegal detention.

As we have been updating the recent condition of the couple, it was just last Thursday 25/4/2029, a team of foreign medical experts that assessed the medical needs of the Sheikh and his wife on the orders of a Kaduna High Court which the team have just concluded that the ailing Sheikh would require further proper medical attention at a well-equipped centers abroad.

A Monumental Free Zakzaky March Yet Again Hit Central Kaduna
29 April 2019

Thousands of members and sympathizers of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria filled the ever busy street of Ahmadu Bello Way in Central Kaduna to demand the unconditional release of Sheikh Zakzaky, who has been illegally detained since December, 2015.

The protest march is coming on the heels of preliminary reports of the team of foreign medical experts who examined the Sheikh and his wife that suggested that the duo will require further assessment and treatment abroad where there are better equipment and services.

Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on Thursday 25th of April ’19
25 April 2019
Free Sheikh Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on Thursday the 25th of April 2019. The protesters called for the freedom of Sheikh Zakzaky who is illegally detained since December 2015 together with his wife.

VIDEOS

Appeal to Help Recent Nigeria Massacre Victims
Published on 01 November 2018 – IHRC Weekly
The Nigerian authorities have attacked the Islamic Movement of Nigeria leaving dozens dead. They need your help now.

Police Attacked Peaceful FreeZakzaky Protest
Published on 15 April 2018
A video clip of security forces which include soldiers and mobile police who attacked free Zakzaky Protesters in Abuja on Monday the 16th of April 2018 with tear gas and live ammunition.