A Letter to the International Community: An Urgent Appeal to Compel the Nigerian Government to Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

 A Letter to the International Community: An Urgent Appeal to Compel the Nigerian Government to Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu To the Honorable Membe...

 A Letter to the International Community: An Urgent Appeal to Compel the Nigerian Government to Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

To the Honorable Members of the International Community,

Including the United Nations Human Rights Council, the African Union, the European Union, and All Relevant Global Stakeholders. The Biafran populace remains profoundly appreciative of the bravery and determination exhibited by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has devoted his life to the peaceful quest for self-determination for his people. His ongoing imprisonment by the Nigerian authorities, in spite of both international and domestic legal orders for his release, constitutes a serious injustice that necessitates immediate intervention from the global community.

We urge you to press the Nigerian government to promptly and unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as his detention represents a blatant infringement of international human rights law and a violation of the core tenets of justice and democracy.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is currently detained solely due to his political beliefs and his advocacy for the self-determination of the Biafran people, a right that is enshrined in Article 1 of the United Nations Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The UN Human Rights Committee, in its General Comment No. 35 (2014), has explicitly indicated that the detention of individuals for peaceful political expression amounts to arbitrary detention, which constitutes a violation of international law. Kanu’s detention, which followed an extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021, serves as a clear example of this abuse.

His advocacy for the self-determination of Biafra is not a criminal act but rather a legitimate exercise of fundamental rights that are recognized worldwide. The Nigerian government's refusal to comply with court orders, including a 2022 ruling from a competent Nigerian court and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (Opinion No. 58/2022), both of which demanded Kanu’s immediate release, represents a direct challenge to both local and international law. This defiance undermines the rule of law and diminishes trust in Nigeria’s commitment to its obligations under the ICCPR, which has been ratified by over 170 countries, including Nigeria. Article 9 of the ICCPR prohibits arbitrary detention, while Article 14 ensures the right to a fair trial—rights that have been systematically denied to Kanu through extended pre-trial detention, unjust judicial processes, and reported inhumane treatment.

The UN’s Clear Stance on Political Prisoners:

The United Nations has consistently condemned the detention of individuals for political reasons. UN General Assembly Resolution 33/173 (1978) explicitly denounces the use of "political reasons as a pretext for the detention of persons for reasons of state security without charges being brought against them" and urges states to release such detainees. Similarly, UN Human Rights Council Resolution 21/16 (2012) reaffirms that political imprisonment undermines democracy and calls for thorough investigations into such cases.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in its 2022 opinion on Kanu’s case, declared his detention arbitrary, citing political motivations and violations of his rights to free expression and a fair trial.

These authoritative pronouncements leave no doubt: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention is unlawful and must end.

A Call to Action: The international community has a moral and legal obligation to act. The Nigerian government’s actions mirror those in cases like the detention of Belarusian opposition leaders, where the UN Human Rights Committee has demanded immediate releases due to arbitrary and politically motivated detentions.

Kanu’s case is no different. His prolonged incarceration, despite court orders and international appeals, signals a dangerous precedent for the suppression of dissent and the erosion of human rights across the globe. Family Writers Press International urge the international community to take the following steps:

Issue a Unified Condemnation: The UN Human Rights Council, the African Union, and other organizations must publicly condemn Nigeria for its failure to comply with court orders and UN recommendations, insisting on Kanu’s immediate release.

Apply Diplomatic Pressure: Governments, especially those with significant influence in Nigeria (such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Israel, South Africa, and the European Union), should utilize diplomatic avenues to advocate for Kanu’s release, referencing his dual Nigerian-British citizenship and Nigeria’s obligations under the ICCPR.

Support Legal Accountability: Promote additional submissions to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the International Criminal Court to examine Nigeria’s actions as potential breaches of international law.

Amplify Global Advocacy: International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, should enhance their campaigns to bring attention to Kanu’s situation, making comparisons to other political prisoners like Aung San Suu Kyi and Alexei Navalny.

Self-Determination Is Not a Crime:

The pursuit of self-determination by the Biafran people, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is rooted in the universal right to freely choose one’s political status, as recognized by the UN Charter and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The suppression of this right through arbitrary detention only exacerbates division and injustice. The international community must unite in affirming that self-determination is not a crime, but rather a fundamental human right. We, the Biafran people, along with advocates for justice around the globe, urge you to take decisive action. The freedom of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu transcends the liberty of a single individual—it serves as a litmus test for the international community’s dedication to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Let us collectively raise our voices and demand that the Nigerian government release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu without delay.

Family Writers Press International