Last updated 17, Dec., 1997
The Zaria Four led by Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky are being tried today for causing disaffection against the governmment. Their crime? To print the statement: There is no sovereignty except through God.
Please help campaign for their immediate release. Their lives and those of many other members of the Muslim Brothers are in peril if their cases are allowed to be forgotten. Please help by writing to the people suggested below. Specimen letter are also enclosed at the end of this page.
It is now over one year since this fearless Muslim leader has been imprisoned.
Since that time, fifty people associated with Islamic movement have been killed, including a three year old boy and hundreds injured in attacks by the police and army. Over a 1000 people were arrested, some without charge and some without fair trial. The Islamic movement in Nigeria has always been in its words and actions peaceful. Mu’allim Al-Zakzaky himself is a well respected scholar. As a result of the concerted campaign of many dedicated volunteers in the UK, the charges against Mu’allim Al-Zakzaky have been changed three times, and around 600 of those detained have been released. However oppression continues. We are requesting our brothers and sisters to write to their Secretary of State / Minister for Foreign Affairs requesting them to intervene in the matter and seek the release of all those held simply because they are Muslims.
We are also asking campaigners in all countries to write to the Secretary General of the Commonwealth at Malborough House, Pall Mall, London, UK, SW1.
Other useful addresses for campaigners in different countries include:
UK
Rt. Hon. Robin Cook MP
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs
Old Admiralty Building
Pall Mall
London
SW1A 2AA
Rt. Hon. Tony Lloyd MP
Minister of State for African affairs
Old Admiralty Building
Pall Mall
London
SW1A 2AA
The Nigerian High Commissioner in London is Mr. O. U. Okeke, Nigerian High Commission, 9 Northumberland Avenue, London, UK, WC2.
Canada
Hon. Lloyd Axworthy
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Ottawa
K1A 0G2
Hon. Christine Stewart
Minister of State (Latin America and Africa)
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Ottawa
K1A 0G2
We are also requesting Canadian campaigners to write to or
e-mail the Special Envoy for Central and Western Africa, Mr. Jacques
Crête an the same address (his e-mail is
crete_jacques_r..extott.o2.gc@eaitc_aecec..telecom.canada.ca
USA
Johnnie Carson
Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
Public Information, Rm. 6808
Bureau of Public Affairs
US Department of State
Washington, DC 20520-6810
Tel: 202-647-6575 (between 9:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. EST)
e-mail: secretary@state.gov
South Africa
Mr Alfred Nzo (ANC)
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
PRETORIA
0001
Mr Aziz Pahad (ANC)
Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
PRETORIA
0001
Finally please write to the Ambassador / High Commissioner at the Nigerian High Commission / Embassy in your country.
PLEASE LET US KNOW OF YOUR REPLIES
DRAFT LETTER TO THE HEAD OF STATE and FOREIGN SECRETARY FOR YOUR COUNTRY
Your name Your address, telephone etc.
Date
Address of Head of State / Foreign Secretary
Dear ________________,
re: Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky and all prisoners of conscience in Nigeria
I am writing with grave concern about the safety and security of Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, the renowned Muslim scholar from Nigeria, who was arrested on Thursday 12th September 1996. He was detained without charge until August 1997 when he and three others (the Zaria Four) were charged with causing disaffection against the Nigerian government.
Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky has never advocated violence, and is a prisoner of conscience. I am deeply concerned as to his well-being and safety and urge your office to intercede for him and all those detained unjustly in Nigeria. Your government's stand on human rights is admirable, and I hope that in this case the promises you have made in this regard will be kept. I would like to know whether your government has already asked for the unconditional release of Al-Zakzaky and all those detained like him.
I sincerely hope that your government will take urgent action for the Zaria Four to prevent the another tragedy like the case of Ken Sara Wiwo and the others executed with him.
I look forward to hearing from you shortly,
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Your signature Your name.
---------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIMEN LETTER TO THE SECRETAR-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Your name Your address, telephone etc.
Date The Secretary General of the Commonwealth Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX
Dear ________________,
re: Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky and all prisoners of conscience in Nigeria
I am writing with grave concern about the safety and security of Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, the renowned Muslim scholar from Nigeria, who was arrested on Thursday 12th September 1996. He was detained without charge until August 1997 when he and three others (the Zaria Four) were charged with causing disaffection against the Nigerian government.
Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky has never advocated violence, and is a prisoner of conscience. I am deeply concerned as to his well-being and safety and urge your office to intercede for him and all those detained unjustly in Nigeria. Your office's stand on human rights is admirable, and I hope that in this case the promises you have made in this regard will be kept. I would like to know whether your office has already asked for the unconditional release of Al-Zakzaky and all those detained like him.
I sincerely hope that your office will take urgent action for the Zaria Four to prevent another tragedy like the case of Ken Sara Wiwo and the others executed with him.
I look forward to hearing from you shortly,
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Your signature Your name.
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- Your address
Your telephone number
Date The High Commissioner The Nigerian High Commission Nigeria House 9 Northumberland Avenue WC2
re: Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, Nigeria
I am writing with grave concern about the safety and security of Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, the renowned Muslim scholar from Nigeria, who was arrested on Thursday 12th September 1996.
Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky has never advocated violence, and is a prisoner of conscience. I ask you to release Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky and the others charged with him, as well as all prisoners of conscience.
I look forward to hearing from you shortly,
Thanking you,
your signature your name
---------------------------------------------------------- DRAFT LETTER TO BRITISH Members of Parliament. This can also be used for members of parliament in other Commonwealth countries, by substituting the name of the Commonwealth country for Britain, British etc. Please make the amendments suggested below if you are writing to Members of the European Parliament.
Your name Your address, telephone etc.
Date
Name of MP House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
Dear______________________
re: Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky
I am writing with grave concern about the safety and security of Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, the renowned Muslim scholar from Nigeria, who was arrested on Thursday 12th September 1996 by Nigerian police. He was detained without charge until August 1997 when he and three others were charged with causing disaffection against the government.
Mu'allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky has never advocated violence, and is a prisoner of conscience. I would like to know whether your party will be advocating *the continued suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth*, and asking for further sanctions unless it releases Mu'allim Al-Zakzaky.
I look forward to hearing from you shortly,
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Your signature Your name.
For letters to MEPs please substitute * sanctions against Nigeria from the European Parliament* ------------------------------------------------------------------