BEING A TEXT BY CHAIRMAN CENTRUM INITIATIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ADVOCACY(CEDRA) ON ATTACKS ON SHIITES IN SOME PARTS OF NORTHERN NIGERIA ON 23rd NOVEMBER 2016 AT JULIUS BERGER HALL UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS
Protocol
I'm here today (23rd November 2016) to discuss basic human rights
violations of the Shiite Muslims in some parts of Northern Nigeria.
And to solicit for support of democratic soldiers and compatriots
living in the South of Nigeria and entire global community on our
advocacy for the respect of the rights of Shiites to worship without
molestation and intimidation by governments and their supporters.
The latest phase of trampling on rights of Shiite Muslims in Nigeria
started in December of 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna State. From 12/13
December 2015 the Nigeria Army massacred Shiites, destroyed( through
bombing) their schools and worship centres. And invaded the residences
of their followers and captured their spiritual leader Sheik Ibrahim
El-Zakzaky. The scale of the pogrom and verifiable evidences of
atrocities committed by the military triggered a global condemnation.
That forced the Kaduna State Government to institute a commission of
inquiry. Even without Shiites' participation, findings of the
commission certified most of claims Shiites made in their various
accounts to the local and international audiences.
During the military operations against Shiites in December of 2015,
their spiritual leader Sheik Zakzaky was treated like an enemy
combatant in a war front. The military captured and took him to God
knows where and later handed him over to the DSS. Since then, the
Sheikh has neither been charged in court or allowed to enjoy his
freedom as a Nigerian bestowed with array of rights in our 1999
constitution( as amended). His member's peaceful protests in Abuja and
other cities for his release has not attracted a comment or action by
his adopters. Sheikh has instituted a fundamental human rights case
against the FGN, however, we believe that he should be immediately set
free to enable him seek medical treatment and enjoy his liberty as a
human being.
As Shiites were struggling through using peaceful and constitutional
measures to call for release of their spiritual leader and respect for
their right to observe rituals globally accepted by their sect, some
State Governments added Salt to injury by outlawing their umbrella
body called Islamic Movement In Nigeria(IMN). Such State Governments
paraded all sorts of absurdities as raison d'etat. Their actions
contradicted constitutional provisions that guaranteed right to
worship and beliefs. Sad enough, a day after some Government's
announcement of banning of IMN, miscreants mobilized and killed, burnt
and looted homes of Shiites with impunity. As we talk today, none of
those arsonists, and murderer has been charged to court.
We are also deeply worried with the quality and sincerity of press
coverage of most of the incidences involving the Shiites in Nigeria.
The mainstream press has consciously or otherwise swallowed propaganda
bait of global cum local anti Shiites activism.
On each occasion of trampling of the rights of Shiites, these pressmen
file laughable reportage suggesting a clash or gun battle with members
of Nigeria Armed Forces or Police. By this, their reports are tacitly
lending credit to the fairy tale of governments that while observing
their rituals Shiites move with lethalistic weaponries and other
arsenals that threatened public safety. That is mischievous and
deliberate falsehood that some of us have independently verified and
found to be bunkum balderdash. Is there logic and common sense in
piquing that people who moves in millions carry lethal weapons? Is
their sheer number not enough security for them?
Aside the mainstream press journalistic laziness and hyperactive
biases, they are discriminatory in their dealings with the Shiites.
Many a times, efforts by the Shiites to correct their deliberate
falsehood are refused a ventilating space. Even their well cherished
principle of the right to reply excluded the Shiites. Worse, there
were occasions where their advertorials were not accepted by the
mainstream press. That is not only unconstitutional but unabashed
display of moral and ethical bankruptcies.
The press is a central component of every democratic setting. Because
of their paramount status, they are labeled the fourth estate of the
realm. There can never be a successful democratic society without an
objective and critical press because they inculcate democratic ethos
on the citizenry and check excesses of mandate holders. Sequel to
this, I expected them to be scrupulous in their reportage by avoiding
simplistic and comical notion of governments that is increasingly
demonstrating inability to accept dissenting views or see others
holding and practicing beliefs detrimentally opposed to theirs as
citizens that should enjoy their rights like them.
Foreign missions and representatives of international governmental and
non governmental organizations in Nigeria have also fall prey of the
raw propaganda of government. Their seldom statements on crushing and
flattening of Shiites rights seems to stemmed from contaminated press
reports of the incidences. We expected them to be more professional
and circumspect in their pronouncements. A clear example of
"conscious" misleading statements came from the U.S. State Department
positing that " they are deeply concerned’ by the deaths of dozens of
Nigerians during clashes between individuals participating in a Shia
procession and the Nigerian Police Force in Kano State on November
14." How Can the State Department called that "A Clash"? This is being
economical with the truth because it was a deadly assault by Nigeria
Police against peaceful Shiites brothers and sisters observing the
ARBA'EEN trek. The State Department and others painting the incidence
of a clash to satisfy some ulterior motives, better know that I was
personally in Kano, as an independent observer. I went to verify the
constant tale that Shiites always carry arms while observing their
numerous religious rituals. The trekkers were armless and peaceful.
Now, how can crushing of peaceful marchers amounts to a clash as
spewed by the State Department?
If an individual like me and a non Muslim (Let alone Shiite) can make
it to Kano, why can't the U.S.and other diplomatic community in
Nigeria walk an extra mile to see thing for themselves? Relying on
contradictory and unreliable official statements from government and
security agencies is wrong. The whole world is looking up to the
U.S.because fate has bestowed in her the onerous task of spreading
liberty and democracy in the world. When the U.S.shows unwillingness
to stand with the oppressed and talk straight, it's worrisome. And
diametrically opposed to the very foundation of their Union
established over two hundred years ago. They must not lose sight of
their popular declaration that " all men are born with some
inalienable rights".
There is no denying the fact that, many compatriots chose not to see
or hear this political evil wind blowing since December 2015. Is it
because they are not directly involved? Is it because the wind is
crushing and flattening a religious minority group called Shiites that
are far off our climes? Well, beseeching us not to forget immortal
words of American Civil Rights Activist Dr. Lurther King jnr that said
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere...whatever
affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We must not also forget
the intended counsel enshrined in Martin Niemoller poem titled "Speak
Out ". Let's speak out against infringement of the rights of Shiites.
Let's speak out against continued and disgraceful incarceration of
Sheik El-Zakzaky. Speaking out now and massively is our surest buffer
against this wind of dictatorship that is collapsing all pillars of
rights and liberty. Don't forget, after Shiites and El-Zakzaky, you
might be their next victim. And when that happen, there will be no one
to talk for you.
I know that people living far off Nigeria are finding it hard
accepting incontrovertible cum impeccable realism that these
atrocities are glowing in a democratic Nigeria. Lest they forget, our
legal and legislative structures envisioned to balance executive
excesses are spineless and ineffectual. It can simply be put: we have
supermen that are powerful than our democratic institutions. Charles
de Montesquieu opined,"There is no crueler tyranny than that which is
perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.” This
seems to be the order, now in Nigeria. A system and leadership that
arrests people for exercising their God given right to worship and
refused to obey court orders is no democracy.
Thank you.
Dr. John Danfulani
Chairman Centrum Initiative For Development
And Fundamental Rights Advocacy (CEDRA)
NO1 SF7 Zabura Plaza Unguwan Rimi
Kaduna