Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 05 September 2019 (Volume 3 Issue 26)
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Introduction
Action Alert
Articles
Videos
Archive

INTRODUCTION
Below please find last week’s update on the Free Zakzaky campaign. During this week despite heavy rains #FreeZakzaky protests continued in the Nigerian capital Abuja.

The Free Zakzaky campaign page on our website is being reconstructed but you can already get links to the latest action, digest, press release and video / audio, as well as background and donation information, as well as some of the campaign archives there.  Please bookmark this page.

This week, we request campaigners keep the pressure on the Commonwealth Secretariat 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.

Click here to watch the message from IHRC chair Massoud Shadjerah about our fundraising and campaigning for those injured by police and army violence and the families of those killed. Please CLICK here for more information to support the victims of police and army brutality in Nigeria and do share the fundraising video provided. They are in urgent need of our support please DONATE here and encourage others to do the same.

You can see photos of the world-wide demonstrations on IHRC’s website, Facebook and Twitter (@ihrc) pages.  You can find detailed reports of demonstrations in Nigeria in these digests and on our site.

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: 

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

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.
I am deeply concerned about their safety and security.
I request your urgent intervention and to make the following representations to the Nigerian government immediately to:

• guarantee Sheikh and Mallimah’s safety and security;
• give them immediate and unfettered access to their own doctors and international medical team;
• give them immediate and unfettered access to their local and international legal team and advocates;
• work towards their immediate travel to a country of their choosing for urgent medical treatment as per the court order of this month;
• work towards their immediate and unconditional release as per the court order of 2016

 I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely,
[Your signature if posting]
[Name]

Commonwealth’s 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

NIGERIA: UN report blasts police plans to attack Ashura processions

03 Sep 2019

A United Nations report has criticised a leaked directive from the chief of police in Nigeria which has sparked fears that the authorities are preparing to use the impending anniversary of Ashura to escalate a bloody crackdown against the country’s Islamic Movement.

The directive from the Inspector General of Police and dated 31 August 2019 instructs police to dismantle the structures and leadership of the organisation and contain its activities.

The leaked directive coincides with a UN report released yesterday exposing the systematic persecution of the Islamic Movement and condemning the Nigerian government for rising violence and “lack of accountability” of the perpetrators.

Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja on Thursday
29 Aug 2019
Free Sheikh Zakzaky Protests continued in Abuja calling for the total freedom of Sheikh Zakzaky after the choose to come back to Nigeria for not satisfied with process of his treatment in India.
Despite heavy rainfall #FreeZakzaky protest was staged on Thursday 29 August 2019 at Sky Memorial in capital city of Nigeria, Abuja. The Zakzaky’s disciples continues calling for the immediate and unconditional release of their leader and his wife Zeenah.

#FreeZakzaky Protest in Abuja on Wednesday
28 August 2019
Daily Free Zakzaky protest held on Wednesday 28 August, 2019. At Apo bridge, Garki, Abuja.

Court Adjourns Islamic Movement’s Suit Challenging Proscription till Sept. 11
28 August 2019

Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday adjourned till September 11, 2019, hearing in the motion filed by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, challenging its ban and designation as a terrorist organization. Click here for more details.

Followers of Sheih Zakzaky celebrate Eid Al Ghadeer and demand his immediate release
27 August 2019

Faithful brothers and sisters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Kaduna zone, lead by Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqoub El-Zakzaky organized annual Eid Ghadeer celebration in the city on Wednesday, 27/8/2019 and demanded immediate release of their leader and his wife, the event was well attended by multitudes of followers of the Movement.

At the event, Sayyid Muhammad Jawad Kaduna was the guest speaker. He revisited the history of the Ghdeer Khum and subsequent appointment and the declaration of Imam Ali (AS) as Leader of the Ummah by the holy Prophets (SAWA) to thousands of his companions. Malam Aliyu Turmidhi delivered a closing remarks after the lectures.

#FreeZakzaky in Abuja on Tuesday 
27 August 2019
Despite heavy rainfall and security intimidation the Zakzaky’s followers storms Banex Plaza Abuja demands the freedom of their leader. 27 August, 2019.

#FreeZakzaky in Abuja on Monday
26 August 2019
As the new week began, Shaikh Zakzaky disciples continue with the daily #FreeZakzaky demonstration in FCT Abuja. The protesters storm Area 1 shopping complex Garki-Abuja demanding the Immediate release of their leader and his wife Zeenah.

VIDEOS

Update On Sheikh Zakzaky – How He Responded to The Abusive Treatment
23 August 2019
Massoud Shadjareh discusses how Sheikh El-Zakzaky has responded to abusive treatment by Nigerian and Indian security forces with dignity.

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.

ARCHIVE

Click here to read the Ihrc report Human Rights Abuses in Nigeria: September 1996 – October 1997, Addendum

Click here to read the IHRC Press Release published on 02 July 1998 “Nigerian junta should release all political prisoners regardless of their faith”

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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
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org
Twitter @ihrc

The opinions expressed in this email do not necessarily reflect the views of IHRC