Wicker Calls for Immediate Release of Imprisoned Christian in Sudan

WASHINGTON (Press Release) — U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State John Kerry calling for the release of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, an imprisoned Christian woman in Sudan.

“I am horrified at the news of the imprisonment and treatment of Ms. Ibrahim,” Wicker said. “I strongly condemn the Sudanese government for its actions and call on Secretary Kerry to press for the release of Ms. Ibrahim and her children without delay.”

Other Senators signing the letter include Mary Landrieu, D-La., Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Mary Landrieu, D-La., James Inhofe, R-Okla., Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Richard Burr, R-N.C., Mike Johanns, R-Neb., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and John Boozman, R-Ark.

The full text of Sen. Wicker’s letter:

“We request that the United States call for the immediate and unconditional release of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, a 27-year-old woman imprisoned and awaiting execution in Sudan. Ms. Ibrahim is the wife of U.S. citizen Daniel Wani. They have two children. Their son, Martin, has been imprisoned with Ms. Ibrahim since February. Their daughter was born last week in prison, where she is to remain until her mother is executed.

On May 11, 2014, a Sudan court sentenced Ms. Ibrahim to death for being a Christian. Under Sharia law, she is required to be Muslim since she is the child of a Muslim father. This inhumane interpretation of law refuses to recognize that Ms. Ibrahim’s father abandoned her when she was young and that she was never reared in a Muslim household.

Furthermore, Islamic law does not recognize Ms. Ibrahim’s marriage to a Christian or the children conceived in such marriage. Thus, Ms. Ibrahim also has been found guilty of adultery and sentenced to 100 lashes for her marriage to Mr. Wani. It is reported that Ms. Ibrahim is already being beaten in jail and that the government has refused to provide health care.

This blatant disregard for religious freedom and violation of human rights is deplorable. The unjust treatment of American citizens should not be tolerated by our Administration. We ask that you press the Sudanese government to adhere to its international obligations and immediately release Ms. Ibrahim and her children. Only then will she be able to reunite her family in the United States.”