ISLAMIC HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
PO Box 598, Wembley, London, HA0 4XX, UK

27 Nov, 1998
NIGERIA UPDATE & ALERT

Islamic Human Rights Commission, welcomes the announcement by the UN Special Rapporteur for Nigeria, that he will be visiting Mu’allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic opposition, who has been imprisoned since September 1996.

Despite claims to the contrary, there are still many hundreds of political prisoners detained in Nigeria. Whilst many prominent secular and Christian activists have been released, to date no Muslim activist has been released since the death of Sani Abacha.

Harassment of members of the opposition continues. Zeenah Ibrahim, herself imprisoned for six weeks with six of her small children earlier this year, has continued o be persecuted by the authorities. In the latest development, she has been unable to have her newly installed telephone line connected, despite the willingness of the telephone company. A police order disallowing the family of Al-Zakzaky the use of a direct telephone line, prevents her from getting a connection. Zeenah Ibrahim has six children aged between 23 months and 13 years. Her car is still confiscated, and she still suffers daily harassment at the hands of police.

IHRC is asking campaigners to write to the Nigerian High Commissioner / Ambassador in their country, demanding that they revoke this order, and allow Zeenah Ibrahim to have her telephone line reconnected.

For UK campaigners the name and address is as follows:

HE Mr. U. Okeke
Nigerian High Commission
Nigeria House
9 Northumberland Avenue
London
WC2

For non-UK campaigners, please contact us if you need an address, or any other details. May Allah s.w.t reward all your efforts. Ameen.[END]