Islamic Human Rights Commission

PRESS RELEASE

30.5.97
For immediate release

Vigil for detained Muslim Leader, Mu’allim Al-Zakzaky
260 IMPRISONED WITHOUT CHARGE BY NIGERIAN JUNTA
Nigerian High Commission, 9 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N, 30.5.97, 2.30 – 5 p.m.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission is staging the second in a series of vigils outside the Nigerian High Commission in London, calling for the release of Muslim leader Mu’allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, who has been detained since September 1996, without charge.

Around a 1000 alleged Muslim activists, have been detained either without charge or proper trial since the arrest of Al-Zakzaky. The families of those detained have been harassed by forced evictions, sexual and physical harassment. Notably Al-Zakzaky’s eleven year old son, was severely beaten by police forces.

IHRC Chairman, Massoud Shadjareh, will be handing in a letter to the Nigerian High Commissioner during the vigil today. The letter contains the names of 250 detainees and prisoners, and requests guarantees for their safety from he Nigerian government. He outlines the situation,

“This is the second time we have submitted a list to the Nigerian High Commission, asking for assurances of safety. Unfortunately we have not even received an acknowledgement, which makes us fear for the worse. We will continue to campaign for Al-Zakzaky until he and all those detained unjustly are released.”

For more information, please call the Press Officer on 0958 522 196, or 0958 60 74 75 or 0181 931 1919, or fax 0181 931 1920.