URGENT ALERT
22nd September 1998

Islamic Human Rights Commission, PO Box 598, Wembley, London, UK, HA0 4XX

NIGERIAN HEAD OF STATE TO VISIT UK
Please help campaign to Free Al-Zakzaky! (addresses and specimen letters, e-mails included).

The Free Al-Zakzaky! Campaign is asking all campaigners to fax or telephone the Nigerian High Commission in the London, UK today to leave messages for the President General Abubakr, asking for the release of all prisoners of faith, including Mu’allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, the Zaria Four and almost 200 other prisoners from the Islamic opposition.

General Abubakr will be meeting with British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and we request campaigners to urgently fax, e-mail, telephone 10 Downing Street and the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office asking the British government to bring up the case of Mu’allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky and all prisoners of faith with General Abubakr. Please ask the British government to call for the immediate and unconditional release of these prisoners.

For non-UK campaigners, please urgently contact the British Embassy in your country asking them to ensure that the British government make representations in these cases.

Please let us know of your responses. If you would like any more information, please contact us on the numbers above. Many thanks. May Allah s.w.t reward all your efforts Ameen.

Sample letter to General Abubakr c/o Nigerian High Commission, Nigeria House, 9 Northumberland Ave, London, WC2, UK, Fax: (+44) 171 839 8746

Dear General,

Re: Mu’allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky and prisoners from the Islamic opposition

It is with sorrow that I note that your government has as yet to release any of the political detainees from the Muslim Brotherhood since you came to office this year.

Whilst you have endeavoured to release other prisoners, the situation of Mu’allim Al-Zakzaky and other Muslim prisoners has remained unchanged. I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release all those prisoners who are unjustly detained including Al-Zakzaky, the other members of the Zaria Four and other members of the Muslim Brothers.

Yours sincerely,

Sample letter to Rt. Hon Tony Lloyd MP, Minister for Africa, FCO, King Charles Street, London. SW1A 2AH, Fax: (+44) 171 270 3539 or (+44) 171 839 2417

Dear Mr. Lloyd,

Re: Visit of Nigerian Head of State, 22.9.98

I am writing regarding the visit of General Abubakr of Nigeria to the UK on 22nd September 1998.

I am deeply concerned that the British government allowed an official visit by the Nigerian Head of State when the new regime under General Abubakr has not released all political prisoners. Whilst many secular and Chritian prisoners have been released not a single member of the Islamic opposition, including Mu’allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, has been released. On the contrary in the last few days, police have opened fire on demonstrations calling for the release of Al-Zakzaky and others, killing at least six protestors.

I sincerely hope, your office will be calling on General Abubakr to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.

Yours sincerely,
Letter to Rt. Hon. Tony Blair MP, Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, London, SW1A 2AA, UK

Fax: (+44) 171 925 0918, Tel: (+44) 171 270 3000, E-MAIL:labour-party@geo2.poptel.org.uk they will forward the message to Tony Blair

Dear Mr. Blair,

Re: your meeting with General Abubakr of Nigeria, 22.9.98

I am writing regarding the above meeting.

I am deeply concerned that you met with General Abubakr, when Nigeria has yet to make significant improvements in its human rights record. In particular, the Islamic opposition in Nigeria is still being targeted by the regime. Demonstrators have been opened fire on and killed in the last few weeks.

Priosners like Mu’allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky have still not been released. I sincerely hope you will be calling on General Abubakr to immediately and unconditionally release Al-Zakzaky and all political prisoners from whatever confessional background.