Background
IHRC continues to be concerned for the safety and well-being of Mu’allim Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, Mallima Zeenah and the many members of the Islamic Movement detained since the Nigerian army’s massacres and arrests of 12 – 14 December, 2015.
Given Saudi Arabia’s role in instigating the violence against the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, and its execution today of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a high profile critic of its regime, it is imperative that international organisations step up their campaign for Zakzaky.
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1 Campaign Point
Campaigners are urged to contact the African Union and the Commonwealth to:
- intervene to demand the release of Mu’allim Ibraheem el-Zakzaky, Mallimah Zeenah and all detainees;
- demand that Nigeria’s membership and privileges be suspended, pending restorative justice for those killed and detained.
A specimen letter is given below. Please let IHRC know of any responses you receive by emailing info@ihrc.org.
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3. Specimen letter and addresses
[Your name]
[Your address if posting]
Date
[Name of recipient]
[Address / Email]
Dear [Insert name here]
re: The killing spree of the Nigerian army in Zaria and related abuses
You are doubtless aware of the killing of at least one thousand unarmed civilians in Zaria, Nigeria since the weekend. In the aftermath of these killings numerous people are missing, others are illegally detained either by the army or police.
At least one detainee has given birth whilst in custody, another more than one has died having been shot and then denied medical attention. Many others are injured and it is unclear as to whether they are getting proper medical attention.
I urge your office to send a delegation to Nigeria immediately to demand access to all the prisoners including the leader of the Islamic Movement, Mu’allim Ibraheem el-Zakzaky who is both injured and detained. Your office must demand the immediate release of all those held. In the meantime your office must suspend Nigerian membership of your organisation as well as any privileges it may have.
I look forward to your urgent action in this matter and your speedy response to my email.
Yours sincerely,
[Your signature if posting]
[Your name]
Who to send the specimen letter to:
Kamalesh Sharma
Secretary General
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5HX
United Kingdom
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7930 0827ÂÂÂÂ
Email: info@commonwealth.int
AND
Dr Josephine Ojiambo
Deputy Secretary-general(Political)
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5HX
United Kingdom
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7930 0827ÂÂÂÂ
Email: info@commonwealth.int
H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
Chairperson
African Union
Email / Message them via this form http://www.au.int/en/contact
