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Nigeria Digest #95

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Nigeria Digest #95

9 September 2019

Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 09 September 2019 (Volume 3 Issue 27)

Introduction
Action Alert
Articles
Videos
Archive

INTRODUCTION

In this week’s digest read more about reports that Nigerian authorities are planning to disrupt and ban the annual ashura processions in Nigeria, due to take place early next week. See the action alert below to find how you can help to prevent this aggression.

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 African Union Secretariat by writing emails/letters, demanding immediate action to stop possible attacks on ashura processions in Nigeria. 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 African Union and demand their intervention in this case. A model letter and contact details of the African Union 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:
Sheikh Zakzaky, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and Possible Further Attacks against them

Your name
Your address
Date

H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat
Chair African Union Commission
PO Box 3243 Roosevelt Street (Old Airport Area) W21K19,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Dear H.E. Mousa Faki Mahamat,

Re: Sheikh Zakzaky, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and Possible Further Attacks against them

I write with regard to my previous letter to you in this regard. I look forward to your speedy response.

Additionally I am really concerned that there will be further crackdowns by the Nigerian army and or government in the Islamic Movement in the coming weeks. As you are doubtless aware it will soon be the Islamic New Year, and unscrupulous members of the army and government have previously used a deeply sectarian and divisive narrative to justify violent actions, including shooting at religious worshipers and or protesters on demonstrations, curtailment of religious services and various violations. In some previous instances, sectarian rhetoric from institutions linked to the government and army have incited mob attacks on Islamic Movement members.

I urge your office to make known in unconditional terms that further violations against Islamic movement of Nigeria or indeed any other political or religious group will not be tolerated by your office or the African Union.

I look forward to your speedy response outlining the actions your office will be taking.

I look forward to hearing from you,

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

African Union’s Contact Details:
Email: dic@africa-union.org
Postal Address: PO Box 3243 Roosevelt Street (Old Airport Area) W21K19 Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 7844

ARTICLES AND RESOURCES

Nigerian authorities seeking to ban and disrupt Ashura processions
06 September 2019

Information reaching IHRC from reliable sources in Nigeria suggests that the authorities are planning to prevent and disrupt annual processions due to take place in commemoration of the holy day of Ashura early next week.

Having failed to execute an earlier plan to arrest leading figures within the Islamic Movement of Nigeria which organises the marches, the authorities are preparing to issue a statement declaring a ban on all processions on Ashura and arrest those taking part.

Police in the capital Abuja are believed to have readied arrest warrants for procession organisers. Click here for more details.

Free Zakzaky Protest staged in Abuja on 4th of Sep
04 September 2019

Free Zakzaky Protest staged in Abuja on Wednesday the 4th of September 2019. Police attempted to dispersed the protest bullets into the air to disperse the protesters. The protest reached its destination peacefully.

#FreeZakzaky Protest in Abuja on 03 Sep
03 September 2019
Daily #FreeZakzaky protest staged at Wuse Market area of Abuja. The participants demanded for immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Malama Zeenah.

#FreeZakzaky Protest on 2 Sep
02 September 2019
Daily #FreeZakzaky protest staged at Jabi Area of FCT Abuja, demanding immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Malama Zeenah. The protesters defied the threat by securities.

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.