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NIGERIA: Demand your Minister of Foreign Affairs intervene to stop killings on Ashura

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NIGERIA: Demand your Minister of Foreign Affairs intervene to stop killings on Ashura

10 September 2019

Use the information, model letter email and contacts below to demand justice in Nigeria

Background

Requested Action

Model email

Recipient addresses

Background

Police have opened fire on several Ashura processions. Several people are reported to have been killed and dozens injured. Heavy police presence is reported at other procession beginning around the country. The presence appears to be targeting those Ashura events frequented by or organised by members of the Islamic Movement and not other Shia events marking the day of Ashura. For more information on the campaign please visit this page. Video of shootings at the Kaduna procession can be found at the end of the page (trigger warning).

Requested Action

Write / email your Foreign Minister demanding they make immediate representations to the Nigerian authorities to stop these attacks, some addresses are pasted below. A model email is also provided should you wish to use it. Please keep all correspondence polite.

Model Email

Subject: Immediate intervention regarding attacks on worshippers on Ashura in Nigeria

Dear [insert the name of your Minister for Foreign Affairs here],

The ongoing police and state violence against Muslims commemorating Ashura has already seen the killing of at least two worshippers and dozens injured.

I write to ask your office to make immediate interventions with the Nigerian authorities demanding and immediate halt to this violence. Your office must seriously consider what punitive actions you can take unilaterally as well as part of international organisations, if necessary, in order to facilitate Nigeria’s compliance with basic human rights standards.

It is clear that the Nigerian authorities are trying to playing to a sectarian audience outside of Nigeria, as well as sending message internally to people of all faiths and none who are part of of sympathetic to the Islamic Movement that they will be attacked with extreme violence.

This violence must end now.

I trust you will make immediate representations.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]

Email addresses of recipients

Selected names and email addresses of Ministers of Foreign Affairs can be found below. Please contact us info@ihrc.org if you have trouble finding the details of your country’s Minister.

Email addresses of recipients

Selected names and email addresses of Ministers of Foreign Affairs can be found below. Please contact us info@ihrc.org if you have trouble finding the details of your country’s Minister.

Australia

Senator Marise Payne

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Senator.Payne@aph.gov.au

Bangladesh

HE Mr. AK Abdul Momen, MP

Foreign Minister

fm@mofa.gov.bd

Bolivia

Diego Pary

Minister of Foreign Affairs

mreuno@rree.gob.bo